A major German\u00a0d\u00f6ner skewer producer has settled a wage dispute that sparked fears of pricier kebabs nationwide.<\/p>\n
Workers at Birtat Meat World SE in Murr, Baden-W\u00fcrttemberg, reached a wage agreement with management after weeks of intermittent strikes.<\/p>\n
The deal follows concerns from restaurant owners and consumers that prolonged stoppages at the plant could raise prices for one of Germany\u2019s most popular fast foods.<\/p>\n
The Food, Beverages and Catering Union (NGG) on Friday confirmed that starting wages would be set at \u20ac2,600 (just over $3,000) gross per month.<\/p>\n
For years, Birtat\u2019s workforce \u2014 largely immigrants from Turkey, Romania and Bulgaria \u2014 had been pushing for higher, more transparent pay. Before this deal, wages varied widely for similar roles, according to the union.<\/p>\n
Staff assemble raw meat on long skewers before freezing and shipping them nationwide. Operating for over 30 years, the factory supplies thousands of outlets across Germany and says it reaches 13 million consumers each month.<\/p>\n
Union negotiator Magdalena Kr\u00fcger called the settlement \u201ca historic result,\u201d being a first for the d\u00f6ner meat sector.<\/p>\n
Germany consumes millions of d\u00f6ner sandwiches monthly, with prices already up from about \u20ac2.50 two decades ago to \u20ac7 or more today. Many customers see it as one of the few filling meals still within a tight budget.<\/p>\n
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