Verdi is pleased with the results of the one‑day strike at the German Press Agency (dpa). According to Verdi’s media‑sector manager Matthias von Fintel, the level of participation “was judged by everyone to be exceedingly high and exceeded expectations”. The strike drew roughly 800 dpa employees, who were called to stop work on Friday. In the news products that were released, von Fintel reports clear gaps and missing productions, for example because on‑air reporting assignments were not carried out.
During a digital strike assembly, more than 300 striking participants from all dpa regional offices, the newsroom, the Hamburg headquarters and product departments such as video and broadcasting joined in. In addition to the striking staff, a number of interns and freelance photographers – who were not formally called to strike – also expressed solidarity. Verdi noted that the dpa itself speaks of delays in its communication, but publicly says it faces no restrictions. This assessment is not confirmed by dpa employees and is inconsistent with the experiences of editorial units that rely on dpa products.
Beyond production limitations, von Fintel said the high level of participation strongly supports the unions’ demands and the management’s expectations that by 27 March a revised, negotiable offer will be presented. Verdi demands a monthly salary increase of a fixed €250 for 2026 and a 2.5 % raise for 2027, with a contract term of 18 months. The last offer from the dpa management, according to the union, proposed a 2.3 % raise for 2026 (or an alternative flat increase of €110) and a 2.5 % raise for 2027.