MUNICH (dpa-AFX) - German trade union Verdi has called on employees at
telecommunications firm Deutsche Telekom to hold strikes and protests
in front of the stadiums of the 10 cities hosting the European
Championships this summer as part of ongoing wage negotiations.

Verdi said on Thursday that the fourth round of negotiations in its
wage dispute with Deutsche Telekom in the city of Potsdam, which was
originally scheduled to run until Tuesday, had been extended until
Friday.

Deutsche Telekom announced on Tuesday that it had improved its offer
to employees. Verdi rejected the offer as insufficient, but called it
'a step in the right direction.' Industrial action has now been
called to back up the union's demands.

Verdi representative Pascal Röckert said before the European
Championships begin on June 14, employees 'have a legitimate concern
that their demands for a substantial pay rise are met'.


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