Negotiations for wage adjustments at doner production facilities have been pushed back by the involved labor union. - Collective bargaining negotiations at Doner manufacturer delayed
Unique Wage Agreement Demand in Germany: Stalemate in Union Negotiations with Döner Producer Birtat
The Union of Food, Beverage, and Catering Workers (NGG) in Stuttgart has called for a novel wage agreement with Birtat, a leading döner kebab manufacturer in Germany. Despite a warning strike last week, negotiations on this critical issue have been postponed, indicating a delay in resolving the labor disagreement.
Union lead negotiator Magdalena Krüger accused Birtat of employing an arbitrary wage system that prioritizes personal relationships and negotiation skills rather than fairness and transparency. The NGG is pushing for a starting wage of 3,000 euros and a transparent wage structure, which, if implemented, would set a precedent in Germany as a pilot project.
A works council was established at Birtat's Murr factory last year, yet no agreement has been reached thus far. The factory temporarily ceased production during last week's warning strike involving a large majority of the approximately 120 employees. While the impact on doner enthusiasts was minimal, the union has signaled its intention to continue advocating for its members and has not ruled out the possibility of further strikes.
Birtat is a subsidiary of Meat World SE and is reportedly the largest döner producer in Baden-Württemberg and one of the leading suppliers in Germany. The Murr factory is responsible for skewering the meat and giving it the traditional shape before shock-freezing and distributing it. Birtat supplies several thousand döner restaurants nationwide, reaching over 13 million consumers each month and maintaining a significant presence across Europe as the market leader.
Despite being unavailable for comment, Birtat's employers have expressed criticism of the union for reportedly setting its demands too high. The postponed negotiations are scheduled to reconvene on July 4. The union's efforts to establish a fair wage agreement highlighted the challenges of navigating tailored compensation arrangements within Germany's food production sector amid evolving industry pressures.
- The demand for a unique wage agreement by the Union of Food, Beverage, and Catering Workers (NGG) with Birtat, a major döner kebab manufacturer in Germany, is causing a stalemate in union negotiations.
- The NGG is advocating for a starting wage of 3,000 euros and a transparent wage structure, aiming to set a precedent in Germany as a pilot project.
- Birtat, a subsidiary of Meat World SE, is one of the leading suppliers of döner in Germany, supplying several thousand restaurants nationwide with over 13 million consumers each month.
- Despite the reports of criticism from Birtat's employers, the union's push for a fair wage agreement underscores the challenges in navigating tailored compensation arrangements in Germany's food production sector under industry pressures.
- The wage dispute between the NGG and Birtat could have implications for vocational training and employment conditions within the food and manufacturing industry in Germany and beyond.
