German seaport workers have rejected the latest wage offer from employers, raising the prospect of renewed industrial action at major ports including Hamburg, Bremerhaven and Wilhelmshaven. The latest development follows weeks of negotiations between the United Services Trade Union (ver.di) and the Central Association of German Seaport Operators (ZDS) over a new collective agreement covering around 11,000 port workers. According to ZDS, a majority of ver.di members rejected the employers’ improved offer following an internal consultation process. The employers’ association said on 1 September that the possibility of renewed strikes is now being raised by the union. “The threat of renewed strikes is disproportionate in this context,” ZDS said, calling on ver.di to continue working towards a negotiated settlement. Warning strike at six German seaports may disrupt operations Latest offer rejected The latest proposal followed intensive negotiations between the two sides on 24 and 25 August in Hamburg. ZDS presented an improved package that included a 5.1% increase in collectively agreed wages, alongside a guaranteed hourly wage increase of €1.20 across all wage groups. The proposal also included a €150 increase in holiday pay and a €616 increase in the annual allowance for employees working in the container sector. The proposed agreement would run for 18 months. However, port workers subsequently rejected the package during ver.di’s consultation process. The dispute covers employees at port companies in Hamburg, Bremen, Bremerhaven, Emden, Brake and Wilhelmshaven. Warning strike preceded latest negotiations The latest negotiations followed a 24-hour warning strike on 18 August that affected Germany’s major North Sea ports. Workers took industrial action at Hamburg, Bremerhaven, Bremen, Wilhelmshaven, Emden and Brake after rejecting an earlier offer from employers. Around 5,000 employees participated in the action, according to ver.di.