Port workers affiliated with the German trade union ver.di have threatened strike action at key German hubs, exacerbating stress for North European shippers as labour tensions also rise in France.
Ver.di is organising a series of dock strikes in Bremerhaven, Hamburg, Bremen, and Emden after talks with the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS) last week ended without success. The union is demanding a €3 increase in hourly wages for port workers as of June 1, along with a corresponding increase in shift bonuses to address the lack of an increase in the 2022 collective bargaining agreement.
Negotiations continued in Hamburg on June 17 and 18, but a warning strike is taking place today in Emden. Ver.di stated, “It remains to be seen whether there will be another warning strike if the ZDS does not submit an offer in the next round of negotiations.” The union recalled that in 2022, warning strikes during talks “paralysed the ports for around 80 hours.”
Ver.di negotiator Maren Ulbrich expressed frustration, saying, “The employees are disappointed and outraged that the employers have not shown any concessions, but have only referred to their own difficult economic situation and competition with foreign ports. In doing so, they have not shown any appreciation for the work of the employees.”
Rising Labour Tensions in France
Meanwhile, in France, labour unions representing dockers and other port workers have engaged in several one-day strikes, as well as numerous four-hour work stoppages this month, protesting pension reform that increased the statutory retirement age. Additional 24-hour strikes occurred on June 21 and 25, and four-hour walkouts on three days of each week this month at ports including Le Havre, Marseille-Fos, Dunkirk, Rouen, Bordeaux, and Nantes Saint-Nazaire. The action could extend into July if the unions do not receive a satisfactory response from the government.
If strikes at Le Havre, Hamburg, and Bremerhaven coincide, ports like Antwerp and Rotterdam could be inundated with North European shippers seeking to shift capacity to fully operational ports.
Impact on Supply Chains
Freightos head analyst Judah Levine commented, “Destination ports in North Europe and North America are not reporting significant congestion yet. Disrupted schedules at origins could lead to some vessel bunching at these hubs, but with elevated volumes still expected to be seasonal and not at the levels seen during the pandemic, destination ports may be able to avoid extreme levels of congestion and delays.” However, this outlook could change drastically if negotiations fail in both Germany and France.
Enhancing Supply Chain Visibility and Decision-Making
To navigate these potential disruptions, the implementation of supply chain visibility software is crucial. Real-time data insights provided by such software will assist Beneficial Cargo Owners (BCOs) and Freight Forwarders in making critical business decisions to counteract impacts on their supply chains. By leveraging these insights, stakeholders can effectively manage disruptions, ensuring smoother operations and greater adaptability in a dynamic market environment. This technology will enhance the reliability of supply chains by enabling better planning and response strategies for all parties involved.
The combination of strategic visibility software and proactive negotiation can help mitigate the impact of labour strikes, ensuring that the global supply chain remains resilient and responsive to challenges.