Berlin's Largest Brewery Faces Shutdown
Three hundred fifty employees at Berlin's last standing brewery in Hohenschönhausen have resumed their strike over wage disputes with the Radeberger Group. This marks the third time the workforce has ceased production, totaling 115 strike hours and affecting an estimated 11.5 million bottles of beer.
The union, NGG, is demanding a new offer from the Radeberger Group. Uwe Ledwig, chairman of NGG East region, expressed dissatisfaction with the company's initial offer, stating it does not match the rate of inflation in supermarkets.
Brewery staff, both skilled workers and contractors, are earning the lowest wages in Berlin. Ledwig points out that while other breweries in Bavaria and Beck's have recently increased wages by three percent, the offer in Hohenschönhausen is merely a two percent increase.
The strikers' objective is a seven percent wage increase. Ledwig warns that if the Radeberger Group does not make a more acceptable offer soon, further labor disputes are imminent.
According to Berliner-Kindl-Schultheiss-Brauerei GmbH, they bottle 100,000 liters of Berlin beer per hour. The current strike has halted production for 25 hours, equating to 2.5 million unbottled bottles. If all three strike days are considered, the total beer stoppage tallies to 115 hours and 11.5 million bottles.
Ledwig advises grill and pub enthusiasts to stock up, as future labor disputes are planned. The next move rests with the Radeberger Group.
The manufacturing industry in Berlin, particularly the beer sector, could experience disruptions if the finance division of Radeberger Group fails to make an improved offer to the brewery's employees, as per the demand of NGG. This potential standoff in the business sector could affect the availability of Berlin's renowned beer in future pub visits or BBQ parties.
