Deutsche Post reaches wage agreement with union

The agreement with trade union ver.di includes salary increases in 2016 and 2017, as well as employee protection against job dismissal through 2019.    Deutsche Post AG, a subsidiary of Deutsche Post DHL Group, and the trade union ver.di have agreed upon a comprehensive collective labor deal, ensuring job security for 7,600 parcel delivery agents.
   The collective agreement includes salary increases of 2 percent in 2016 and 1.7 percent in 2017, as well as employee protection against job dismissal through 2019. The agreement has a term of 32 months, meaning it will remain in force until January 31, 2018.
   Weekly working hours under the new deal remain unchanged at 38.5 hours.
   Deutsche Post AG said in a statement its 140,000 employees will also receive a one-off payment of 400 euros (U.S. $442) in 2015, including pro-rated payments for part-time employees.
   “This is a good day for Deutsche Post, its customers and its employees,” Deutsche Post DHL Group CEO Frank Appel said of the announcement.
   “We have been able to agree upon a comprehensive package that will offer both security and new prospects to our employees, whilst simultaneously facilitating growth,” added Melanie Kreis, Board Member for Human Resources and Labor Director at Deutsche Post DHL Group. “Both sides made substantial efforts to find the middle ground, and have ultimately arrived at a positive compromise.”