BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The collective bargaining for the 170,000 postmen, parcel delivery staff and other Deutsche Post employees begins. The Verdi trade union is demanding, among other things, a seven percent wage increase and additional vacation days over a period of twelve months. "Only with significant wage increases for employees can the still high costs and food prices be managed," said Verdi negotiator Andrea Kocsis, according to the statement. The vast majority of postal workers still earn less than the median income in Germany.

According to Verdi, nine out of ten postal workers also work under high physical stress, for example, handling parcels weighing up to 31.5 kilograms and extreme weather conditions. Additional vacation days are therefore essential to protect the health of employees. "The sick leave rate is at a record high," said Kocsis./jcf/DP/jha