German postal workers walk off the job

German postal workers walk off the job in wage dispute with Deutsche Post

BERLIN (AP) -- Postal workers are on strike in Germany in a one-day walkout meant to put pressure on Deutsche Post AG for higher wages.

The ver.di union said Wednesday that hundreds of workers, primarily letter carriers, were participating in the daylong warning strike in 17 cities and regions across the country.

Demonstrations were planned in Berlin, Hamburg and Cologne.

The union is demanding a minimum 6 percent wage increase for its 132,000 members this year. Deutsche Post has so far made no offer after two rounds of negotiations.

Short warning strikes are a common labor tactic in Germany to raise pressure on employers, and ver.di says more are planned ahead of the next round of negotiations April 25.