BONN (dpa-AFX) - To continue the postal collective bargaining, the trade union Verdi has reiterated its demand for a 15 percent wage increase. In view of high inflation, this was "not unrealistic, but necessary, fair and feasible," said chief negotiator Andrea Kocsis. Negotiations for Deutsche Post's approximately 160,000 domestic employees continued Wednesday in Cologne, according to a company spokesman. The meeting is scheduled for two days.

At the first round of negotiations on Jan. 6, the positions were still far apart. The Post executive board considers the union's demand unrealistic.

Verdi representative Kocsis said before the second round that they would "go into depth" in the negotiations. She said the Post had made it clear that it was interested in a very long contract period - until mid-2025. Verdi wants a one-year collective agreement.

A big step forward is expected, Kocsis said. If this does not happen, it will be decided "whether we have to emphasize our demand in the plants." This means warning strikes. The smaller trade union DPVKOM is already using this means on a small scale: on Tuesday, there was a warning strike in Karlsruhe.

Deutsche Post DHL is highly profitable. However, the focus of its business activities is abroad./wdw/DP/jha