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Tackling the Talks: Collective Bargaining Kicks Off in Potsdam
It was the third round of collective bargaining in Potsdam, and the pressure was on. After two rounds without an employer offer, the unions Verdi and Deutscher Beamtenbund were demanding a 10.5% pay rise and more. They felt federal and local government employees should not be paid less than state employees, echoing their public sector wage round calls from the spring.
Ulrich Silberbach, chair of the German Civil Service Association, had high hopes. He believed employers had finally noticed the brewing cauldron of tension. Frank Werneke, Verdi national boss, praised the increased participation in warning strikes ahead of the third round.
The Playing Field
The collective bargaining round was orchestrated by Andreas DRESSEL, spokesperson of the SPD. The German Civil Service Association and the United Services Union were in the spotlight. Although the employer's offer had not been disclosed, everyone was eager to find out.
Casting Long Shadows
The collective bargaining association of German states, tdl, joined the mix. The unions continued to push for substantial financial benefits, mirroring their public sector demands of the spring. Despite the looming conclusion on Saturday, further talks have not been scheduled, and no agreement on arbitration has been reached.
The employers' stance in response to these financial demands would heavily influence the outcome of the negotiations.
What was the employer's offer? The details were kept under wraps, but the union's demands were anything but quiet. Verdi was eyeing a significant wage increase, along with additional financial benefits like a 13th monthly salary, driving and alternating shift allowances, and shift allowances.
These demands could add up to 250 million euros annually, according to Verdi. The negotiations were drawing a crowd, as the federal government, represented by Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser, entered the discussion.
However, she kept expectations in check, hinting at the complex and challenging nature of the negotiations. The warning strike called by Verdi would hit public transportation hard, with buses, trams, and subway trains taking a hit.
Passengers were encouraged to explore alternative modes of transportation, such as the S-Bahn and regional trains. The stage was set for a dramatic conclusion, as the collective bargaining round in Potsdam unfolded.
Sources: stern.de
Enrichment Insights
- Verdi also called for a decent work charter that would address various work-related concerns, such as better career opportunities and equal pay for equal work.
- The unions' demands included higher salaries for young professionals, reflecting the growing cost of living.
- The negotiations would impact nearly half a million workers across various sectors, including education, healthcare, and social services.
- The union and employers have a history of tense relations, with several strikes and lockouts in the past over wage disputes and other labor issues.
- The collective bargaining round aimed to set a salary benchmark for the next 2 years, affecting salaries for both public and private sector employees.
[1] www.stern.de [2] www.bild.de [3] www.tagesspiegel.de
