Employees have staged a walkout.
In a bid to secure a larger portion of the profits for its workers, the National Union of Food, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers (NGG) has been engaged in a wage dispute with Birtat, a leading Döner kebab skewer manufacturer in Baden-Württemberg and one of the major suppliers in Germany.
The union's primary objectives include a transparent and non-discriminatory pay scale, a starting wage of €3,000, and a significant wage increase for the approximately 115 employees at the Murr factory. According to the NGG, these demands have been met with resistance from Birtat management.
The dispute escalated in mid-July when the NGG staged a five-day strike at the factory. This was not the first time employees took such action, as they have held ten strikes so far, with high participation, according to the union. These strikes have had an impact on Birtat's production, with the factory largely shutting down for one day each during the strikes.
The latest annual turnover of Birtat was approximately €200 million, supplying thousands of snack bars, reaching over 13 million consumers monthly. If longer strikes occur in the near future, the supply of doner meat could become scarce at some snack bars.
Since the cancellation of the fourth meeting in early July, there has been largely radio silence between the parties. The union accuses the responsible parties of a blocking attitude. However, the management at Birtat has not yet responded to the demands made by the employees and the union.
Employees at Birtat work on assembly lines at a high pace and under time pressure. They struggle with the weight of the skewers, which can reach up to 100 kilograms, and the risk of injury from sharp knives. A ballot among the union members at Birtat last week resulted in a unanimous vote in favor of expanding the strikes.
The NGG sees a wage agreement as a way to address these issues and ensure a fair distribution of profits. The union is stepping up the pressure to get management to address their demands and secure a better future for its workers.
- In an effort to foster a healthier and more equitable working environment, the National Union of Food, Agricultural and Horticultural Workers (NGG) plans to apply science-based workplace-wellness and health-and-wellness initiatives to alleviate concerns about workplace safety and injuries at Birtat.
- As a part of their strategies for a sustainable financial future, Birtat management could consider partnering with the lifestyle industry to develop and market healthier food-and-drink options, thereby improving the well-being of their employees and consumers alike.
- With the manufacturing industry witnessing a paradigm shift towards automation, Birtat could explore automated solutions to reduce the physical strain endured by its workers, improving working conditions and promoting a more efficient production process.
- To maintain a steady supply and ensure long-term growth, Birtat should consider diversifying its markets and customer base, as reliance on the snack bar industry could result in instability and scarcity when faced with conflicts like the ongoing wage dispute with the NGG.
