Riesa (dpa/sn) - In the collective bargaining dispute at Pasta Riesa GmbH, the Food-Genuss-Gaststätten (NGG) trade union expects a lengthy labor dispute and is therefore setting up a solidarity fund. The NGG announced on Monday that the East German market leader was preparing for strikes lasting several weeks. The solidarity fund is intended to support workers who find themselves in an emergency as a result of the strike. Many were only paid an hourly wage of 12.51 euros and "had problems making ends meet," it said. At the strike meeting on Monday, it was decided to continue the industrial action.
"The company and the owner family seem to want to make the wage round a question of principle and are pursuing a basta policy. They are badly advised to do so," explained NGG secretary Olaf Klenke. Employees' demand for two euros an hour should be taken seriously. Around 150 people work in Riesa.
The management of Pasta Riesa had described the union's demand as unrealistic last week. She offered a wage increase of 1.20 euros per hour, which should take effect by the end of 2023. "This very far-reaching offer goes well beyond the usual collective bargaining agreements and underlines the solidarity towards the workforce in these difficult times," it said. The local collective bargaining commission - mainly the NGG - rejected this offer "without in-depth discussion".
