Dusseldorf, Germany - Germany's services sector union ver. di announced Saturday plans to hit Deutsche Post with open-ended strike action starting May 2 after wage negotiations have broken down.

The union also said it was possible that before then, warning strikes would be staged against the German postal company.

Before strike action can be carried out, union members will vote on the issue between April 25 and 29. The results will be announced April 30.

Wage negotiations broke down overnight Friday chiefly over the issues of working hours and protection against layoffs.

Ver. di chief negotiator Andrea Kocsis said Deutsche Post's offer posed a "bottom-line losing deal for the employees" which could even possibly lead to the loss of 12,500 jobs. (dpa)