Factory Work Stoppage Disrupts Doner Meat Manufacturing - Union Pleas for Negotiations - Doner meat factory work stoppage hinders production, according to union demands
The food, consumption, and catering union (NGG) in Germany has been locked in a labor dispute with Birtat Meat World SE since at least May 2025, with no resolution in sight [1][2][3]. The union's demands include a €375 monthly wage increase and standardized collective contracts for employees at the company's factory in Ludwigsburg, southwestern Germany.
The ongoing strikes, which have involved repeated walkouts and work stoppages, have caused significant disruptions to Döner production in Germany. Birtat supplies thousands of kebab stands and fast-food outlets, reaching over 13 million consumers monthly. The interruptions have raised concerns among consumers and restaurant owners about potential shortages or price increases for kebabs, a beloved street food in Germany [1][2].
The parties have not held a meeting since the fourth one was cancelled in early July, leaving little communication between the union and the management [1]. Birtat's parent company, Meat World SE, had an annual turnover of approximately 200 million euros [2]. The company claims to be a market leader in the Döner kebab industry.
The Murr factory in Ludwigsburg is the largest producer of Döner skewers in Baden-Württemberg. Birtat's products, which include skewered meat (beef, chicken, or pork) that are shock-frozen before delivery, can be found in major cities across Europe [2].
The employees at the factory have been organizing for over a year and have a works council [2]. During previous strikes, Birtat's production was largely shut down for a day, according to the NGG [1]. The union accuses the responsible parties of blocking progress in the negotiations [2].
The NGG sees a wage agreement as a means of distributing profits more fairly among those who have earned them [2]. Experts have previously assumed that the final price for a Döner could reach the 10-euro mark due to rising beef prices, energy costs, and other raw materials [3]. Language barriers were initially an issue at the company, as employees speak Turkish, Bulgarian, Romanian, and German [2].
Birtat has not yet responded to a recent request for comment on the labor dispute [1]. The union has stated that the company's management has not yet responded to their demands [1]. The first negotiation between the union commission and Birtat management took place in March [2]. If longer strikes occur in the near future, Döner meat supply at some snack bars could become scarce [1].
[1] News Source 1
[2] News Source 2
[3] News Source 3
- The striking food union NGG in Germany is urging Birtat Meat World SE to implement their employment policy, which includes a €375 monthly wage increase and standardized collective contracts, to address the ongoing labor dispute in the Döner kebab industry.
- The implementation of community policy, such as a fair wage distribution and the resolution of language barriers, is crucial for maintaining harmony within Birtat's multicultural workforce, while also ensuring the sustainability of its business operations.
- The escalating labor dispute has threatened the supply chain of Döner kebabs, a beloved street food in Germany, and caused concerns within the manufacturing industry, particularly finance and lifestyle sectors, including food-and-drink businesses, regarding potential shortages or price increases.
