As of: November 8th, 2023 6:26 a.m
Port workers at the HHLA Burchardkai terminal had stopped work since Monday evening in protest against the planned partial sale to the Swiss shipping company MSC. Now operations are starting up again – HHLA had previously issued warnings.
Hundreds went on a “wildcat strike” in protest against the HHLA leadership supporting the entry of the major Swiss shipping company MSC. As an employee, you don’t feel like you’re being taken seriously, a person you trust at HHLA told NDR 90.3 at the start of the protest. Work stoppages like this are actually not allowed. The right to strike only applies to enforce wage demands.
Leonhard and Dressel refused to talk to strikers
One of the employees’ demands was on-site discussions with Senate representatives about the controversial port deal. Economics Senator Melanie Leonhard and Finance Senator Andreas Dressel (both SPD) firmly rejected such an appointment in the Economics Committee on Tuesday evening. This would still support the “wildcat strike”.
Operations have started again since the night shift
The HHLA management has already taken legal action against the work stoppages. Since the night shift, operations in Waltershof have been ramping up again. According to information from NDR 90.3, a conversation with the Senate is planned for next week, mediated by the ver.di union. Details are not yet known.
In the economic committee, Leonhard and Dressel once again defended the planned partial sale of HHLA. With MSC you have a strong partner at your side who also wants to invest on a large scale. The Swiss shipping company has committed to complying with collective agreements and continuing to involve employees in HHLA’s decisions. The deal will probably not be fully completed until the middle of next year, said Leonhard. Provided the citizens agree.
The city of Hamburg definitely retains the majority
The deal was concluded around two months ago, according to which the Swiss shipping company can take up to 49.9 percent of HHLA. The city of Hamburg will retain the majority in the future, but will sell shares. According to the board and supervisory board, MSC and the city have committed to jointly investing 450 million euros in HHLA in the coming years.
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