Shop workers strike in Germany

Thanks to Matt in Berlin for sending us this report...

The employers want to abolish the bonuses for late and Sunday shifts -
20% bonus after 6.30pm Monday-Friday, 50% bonus after 8pm, 120% bonus on
Sundays and public holidays, 20% bonus on Satudays after 4.30pm. These
bonuses make up a lot on top of the basic pay. When abolished, a full
time worker would lose 180 Euro per month (or the equivalent in time).

The union have attempted to hold talks with the employers since January.
They refuse. The union are also demanding a 6.5% pay rise (on top of the
retention of bonuses).

More details - and videos - interviews with strikers (with english
subtitles) here

http://karlmarxstrasse.blogsport.de/2007/12/09/berlin-shop-workers-strik...
http://karlmarxstrasse.blogsport.de/2007/12/10/21/

and photos of the demonstration last week:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/yawning/2102727995/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yawning/2102728001/ (both of H&M workers)

and of the demonstration:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/yawning/2102727989/