Ongoing strike action at Amazon, Deutsche Post, retail outlets, the Berlin Hospital of Charity, to name just some, upcoming strike action at Lufthansa, or long-term conflict threatening to erupt again, Germany formerly known for its culture of consensus has, since the start of the year, been hit by a record number of strikes. What is behind this? Are there any commonalities? Is it the start of a new trend? Planet labor examines the situation.
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Amazon, retailers, Deutsche Post, Lufthansa… In Germany each week seems to bring another strike with it. On Monday June 22 the services union Verdi once again called out Amazon workers at six distribution centers to stop work until June 24 inclusive and their demands haven’t changed. “Workers are struggling to get a collective agreement. They are looking for clear fair working conditions and no longer want to be subject to their employer’s whims,” explained Stefanie Nutzenberger, member of Verd

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