German Construction Workers Threaten Nationwide Strike

German construction workers are threatening a nationwide strike to enforce their demands for higher wages and other improved working conditions.

 

The head of the trade union IG Bau reported this to the newspaper Süddeutsche Zeitung.

The union wants a wage increase of 5.3 percent for the nearly 900,000 German construction workers. Higher compensation should also be offered for the long daily travel times to construction sites, which are often in remote locations.

IG Bau says there is a good chance of a nationwide strike in the construction sector if employers don’t act quickly. That would be the first nationwide strike since 2002.

A mediation process will now begin between the parties to reach an agreement.