When presenting his results for the first 2009 quarter, the boss of the German post said that his company’s turnover decreased of around 13% (€11.5 billion) and profit of 42%. He thinks this is due to the impact of the global crisis, with an unprecedented scope, as well as high wage costs in the postal sector. In this context, he says the company must do everything to reduce costs and take the necessary structural measures. Thus, Mr. Appel announced he wanted to bargain with staff representatives for an increase in working time for the same salary or a postponement of the 3% wage increase planned for December 2009. “If we want to save jobs in the long run, we can’t afford sacred cows” warned the CEO, referring to the management’s aborted attempts to impose, in April 2008, a wage increase without a wage increase (see our dispatch No. 080362). The day before the presentation, Mr. Appel explained in an interview to the Bildzeitung daily that every additional work hour meant more productivity. “We would need to increase working time – significantly and step by step” declared the group’s leader, not excluding dismissals if bargaining fails.
mpts to impose, in April 2008, a wage increase without a wage increase (see our dispatch No. 080362). The day before the presentation, Mr. Appel explained in an interview to the Bildzeitung daily that every additional work hour meant more productivity. “We would need to increase working time – significantly and step by step” declared the group’s leader, not excluding dismissals if bargaining fails.
Changed context. Verdi immediately rejected these requests. A spokesman reminded that employees in
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