September 17th, 2026 – Unionized port workers in Germany are preparing to vote on possible further strike action after rejecting the latest pay proposal from terminal employers, raising the risk of additional disruption at some of the country’s largest ports.
The United Services Union (Verdi) said members will have until October 1st to vote on whether to reject the offer and move toward indefinite strike action. At least 75% of participating members would need to support the measure before the union’s federal collective bargaining commission determines whether and when additional strikes will take place.
The vote follows the rejection of the latest proposal from the Central Association of German Seaport Companies (ZDS), which represents employers at ports including Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Emden, Brake and Wilhelmshaven. Approximately 64.7% of the more than 5,500 employees who participated voted against the offer.
ZDS proposed a 3.4% increase in hourly wages, along with a $231 increase in holiday pay and a $480 increase in annual lump-sum payments beginning January 1st, 2027, for employees at major terminal operators. The proposal was presented during the fourth round of negotiations.
While employers agreed to a 12-month contract covering approximately 11,000 port employees rather than the previously proposed 19-month term, Verdi maintains that the offer does not provide sufficient wage protection for lower-paid workers. The union is seeking an 8.2% hourly wage increase or a minimum increase of €2.50 ($2.90) per hour to help offset higher living costs.
The labor dispute has already resulted in significant port disruption, including a 24-hour walkout on August 17th and a two-day stoppage earlier this month.
Additional strike action could further strain operations at German ports and contribute to worsening congestion and vessel schedule reliability across major European trade lanes. Shippers with cargo moving through Germany should continue monitoring negotiations and prepare for the possibility of additional delays if workers authorize further industrial action.
