In the following, you find our press releases concerning the current labour dispute of FAU Munich with the bookstore chain Walther König.
First, they didn't pay, then came the layoffs!
A labour dispute has been going on between the bookstore chain Walther König and working students at the three Munich branches since 08.02.2021.
The employees and the grass-roots union FAU demand: Realization of the entitlement to paid leave and paid sick days as well as the unlawfully accumulated negative hours that were demanded by the employer during the time the stores were closed due to the shutdown.
Now, the employer intensifies the dispute further by not paying the employees for February.
After demanding the pay, all student employees of the three Munich branches were laid off only one day later.
So far, neither the demands of the students and the union, nor proposed dates for talks have been addressed — on the contrary, the employer's only reaction has been laying off all those who have pointed out the problems.
One of the students said: "I am shocked. We did not expect such rude and ignorant behaviour".
"We had hoped that the employer side would be willing to talk, and now we are faced with our layoffs. First, we run the risk of losing our homes because we are not being paid, now we lose our jobs, too", another employee states.
Without any valid argument, and using illegal practices, Walther König puts the working students even further in a situation of necessity.
"Walther König continues breaking the law and now tries to fuel existential fears among the employees. The bookseller's illegal practices intensify the conflict in an unnecessary manner. Director Udo Milz has to get to the negotiation table and let go his attitude of blockade", Patrick Lohner, Secretary of the FAU Munich, states.
The employees declare:
"We expect that they comply with the basic employee rights and thus meet our demands.
We demand the immediate payment of our wages - but not as an advance payment.
We demand that all layoffs are taken back immediately.
Further work must occur under significantly better conditions. That has to apply for all Walther König employees, not only in Munich."
