Unrest erupts at "Birtat" centering around the Döner dilemma, which poses a significant risk
The ongoing strike at Birtat, one of Germany's largest doner skewer producers, is causing concern for both the supply and affordability of this popular fast food. The workforce, primarily composed of immigrant workers from Turkey, Romania, and Bulgaria, has been staging walkouts and warning strikes since February 2025, demanding better pay, improved working conditions, and a company-specific collective bargaining agreement.
The strike, which has been ongoing for several weeks, is affecting doner meat production and distribution. Initially, the disruption was minimal, but there is growing concern that sustained industrial action could severely impact the availability of doner kebabs across Germany. Analysts warn that even if a settlement is reached, higher labor costs combined with rising beef prices may push retail doner prices above €10, a significant increase from typical prices around €7 or less. Such price hikes risk reducing consumer access to this popular fast food.
The union involved, the Food, Beverages and Catering Union, is actively supporting the strike and collective bargaining efforts. The union reports that working conditions at Birtat are tough, echoing the concerns of the workers. The company, however, is resisting the employee's demands.
Birtat produces approximately 35 to 40 tons of doner skewers daily, supplying thousands of snack bars and reaching over 13 million consumers monthly. As the market leader in Baden-Württemberg for doner skewer production, Birtat's strike could have a significant impact on the industry.
The strike is also concerned with the workload, as employees work at high speeds on assembly lines under time pressure. Safety standards in Birtat's production are considered insufficient, adding to the workers' grievances.
The strike at Birtat, a part of Meat World SE, has been escalating, with employees demanding a monthly wage increase of €375, a standardized entry-level salary of €3,000, and a transparent collective pay agreement. The company has so far refused these demands, resulting in continued strike action and labor unrest at the factory in Murr, southwestern Germany.
The issue of wages at Birtat is not uniformly regulated; they depend heavily on personal relationships and individual negotiation skills. During a warning strike, an employee reported earning more than some colleagues who have been working at Birtat for years, despite being there for only a few weeks.
The doner skewer crisis has been reported by ntv, with the potential increase in the weight of doner skewers being another issue in the strike. The weight of doner skewers could soon weigh up to 100 kilograms more, adding to the operational challenges at Birtat.
In summary, the Birtat strike is active and causing operational challenges that threaten both the supply and affordability of doner kebabs in Germany, with the potential for widespread impact if unresolved.
The ongoing industrial action at Birtat, a significant player in the manufacturing industry, primarily targets doner skewer production. The strike could potentially increase the prices of doner kebabs, moving them beyond the typical range of €7 or less, potentially pricing out some consumers due to the projected rise to €10 or more, according to financial analysts. The union involved, the Food, Beverages and Catering Union, supports the employees' demands for improved pay and working conditions in order to seek better standards within this business sector.
