Telecom strike becomes crucial union fight

Germany

The ver.di services union is facing a major struggle with the German telecommunications company, Telekom, in a dispute which could have major implications for the trade union movement in Germany. The company announced plans to outsource 50,000 employees to three new companies. The workers affected would face a 9% cut in pay and a four-hour increase in the working week from 34 to 38 hours. Overall ver.di believes that workers will face an effective 40% cut in salaries. The company has refused is to negotiate a collective agreement covering the outsourced workers. Ver.di members voted 96.5% in favour of strike action.
Read more at > ver.di (DE)