Workers at Germany's largest port in Hamburg began a two-day strike today, Tuesday, after the "Verdi" union for service sector employees called for this action to increase pressure in ongoing wage negotiations.

A spokesperson for Verdi said: "The strike began as planned with the morning shift at 6:30 AM."

The spokesperson mentioned that employees will initially strike in a decentralized manner in front of their companies, and there will be a demonstration tomorrow, Wednesday.

Verdi has been negotiating with employers over increases in hourly wages as well as an increase in shift allowances, among other issues. The union demands an additional €3 (about $3.25) per hour, retroactive from June 1.

Marin Olbrich, the chief negotiator for Verdi, stated: "We have been and still are quite far apart in the third round of negotiations," describing the offer made by employers as unacceptable.

Olbrich clarified that the inflation observed in the last two years has severely affected low-income groups in particular.

A fourth round of negotiations between the union and the Central Association of German Seaport Companies is scheduled to take place from July 11 to 12 this month.

This latest action follows a strike by workers at several seaports in northern Germany last month to increase pressure on employers as they entered the third round of wage talks.