Coca-Cola bottling plants were built in Germany. This is just a foretaste of the great strike
The strike affected four locations in northern Germany, including bottling plants in Hildesheim, Lüneburg and Mölln, as well as the logistics center in Achim near Bremen. In this region, Coca-Cola employs approximately 1.2 thousand people. people, almost half of whom work in Hildesheim.
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Salary dispute
The reason for the strike is difficult wage negotiations between NGG and Coca-Cola. The union demands a 5% salary increase with compensation from September 1 and an additional EUR 150 per month as a permanent bonus. Meanwhile, the company proposed a 1.5% wage increase, which would take place only in 2026. The trade union described this proposal as a “provocation”.
Coca-Cola's spokeswoman responded to the allegations, emphasizing that in 2025, employee salaries have already increased by an average of 3.5%, which corresponds to approximately EUR 170 per month. She added that the company presented an “economically balanced offer” during the first round of negotiations in September, taking into account previous increases.
Currently, Coca-Cola operates 24 plants in Germany, including 13 bottling plants, employing approximately 6,000 people. people.
Average gross earnings in Germany are approximately EUR 4,300 per month, and from January 1, 2025, the minimum wage is EUR 12.82 gross per hour. The net payout after deducting taxes and contributions is on average approximately EUR 2,800, but the actual amount depends on the individual tax situation, region and industry.
Empty shelves in Germany
If trade unionists escalate the strike, it will not be the first time in recent years that Coca-Cola may not be available on store shelves in this country. Previously, however, the reason was different. At that time, it was a conflict between the manufacturer and the store chain.
Read more: A new version of empty shelves in Germany. Now there's a shortage of Coke, coffee and cereal
