The service union Verdi has expanded nationwide warning strikes targeting Deutsche Telekom from Tuesday through Thursday. The union also plans to increase pressure during bargaining sessions concerning the Postbank. According to Verdi, the aim of these actions is to reinforce demands during the ongoing collective bargaining round. Protests have been organized in eight locations, including Hannover, Frankfurt, and Berlin, as part of the industrial action against Telekom. In recent weeks, over 32,000 employees participated in the strikes.
Verdi’s core demands include a pay increase of 6.6 percent over a twelve-month contract period. Furthermore, the union seeks the introduction of an annual member bonus of 660 euros. They are also demanding a monthly raise of 120 euros for trainees and dual students, coupled with an additional annual member bonus of 240 euros.
The fourth negotiation round between Verdi and Deutsche Telekom is scheduled for May 26th and 27th. The German telecommunications conglomerate comprises 20 tariff-regulated companies, most of whose existing contracts are set to expire on March 31, 2026.
Meanwhile, negotiations have yet to reach an agreement with the Postbank, which employs approximately 9,000 people within the Deutsche Bank group. The employer presented an offer involving pay increases of 2.4 percent starting in July 2026, followed by another 2.3 percent increase after one year. However, Verdi deems this offer insufficient to conclude the talks.
Jan Duscheck, the lead negotiator for Verdi, criticized the prospect of Postbank employees accepting real wage losses despite the bank achieving record profits. He emphasized that viable economic room existed for a favorable agreement and that these opportunities must be utilized. Following recent nationwide strikes to underline their demands, the union plans to further expand its warning strikes in the coming weeks.
At a broader level, Verdi’s demands include a salary increase of eight percent, or at minimum, 300 euros monthly, plus an increase of 200 euros in training pay. Beyond wage issues, the union is also prioritizing job security, location preservation, and future employment prospects for staff due to the integration of the Postbank into the Deutsche Bank corporate structure. Negotiations are slated to continue on June 15, 2026, in Frankfurt.