Trade unions intensify pressure on federal states ahead of possible public sector pay showdown
As the potential final round of the public sector wage dispute looms, trade unions are ramping up their efforts to secure better pay deals for employees. Verdi boss Frank Werneke has issued a call to arms, urging the federal states to present a satisfactory offer. "The game of hide and seek must end," Werneke told the German Press Agency in Berlin. "The resolve of state workers to seriously fight for their demands has become strikingly clear during the ongoing warning strikes," Werneke cautioned. Employers would be wise to take heed of the discontent within the workforce, Werneke warned.
Recent weeks have seen employees from various sectors, including university hospitals, universities, the judiciary, and public transport, engaging in warning strikes for better pay. In Düsseldorf alone, around 15,000 employees took to the streets, demonstrating in the city center. Negotiations between the unions and state employers are set to kick off this Thursday in Potsdam.
Strikes on the horizon
Ulrich Silberbach, the chair of the dbb civil servants' association, underscored the unions' readiness to mobilize and fight for better pay in the federal states. "Our colleagues are prepared to enforce strikes in critical areas in the federal states," Silberbach declared. Implementing such strikes would require a vote, according to observers. A breakthrough in Potsdam by the weekend seems more likely, or the negotiations may be postponed again, potentially leading to further warning strikes.
Werneke demanded that the state employers in Potsdam present an offer that complied with the TVöD agreement, as per his stipulation. The agreement referred to the one reached in April for the federal and local authorities. As in the current wage dispute, the unions had sought a 10.5% income increase, along with a minimum of 500 euros more. The settlement at the time included tax and duty-free special payments amounting to 3,000 euros, a base income of 200 euros, and a subsequent 5.5% increase. However, the federal states dismissed the union's demands as financially unrealistic.
Mixed signals from the federal states
Werneke pointed out that hundreds of thousands of student employees must now be included under collective agreements. Overall, the federal states have a responsibility to ensure citizens have access to adequate public services and that their employees are fairly compensated.
In recent days, the federal states have sent mixed messages to the trade unions. Silberbach acknowledged that the state finance ministers are now realizing that they must maintain parity with the federal and local governments regarding salary. At the same time, they are looking to the employees to contribute to the budget restructuring of the federal states. However, the trade unions will not accept real wage cuts.
Insights
The current wage dispute in the German public sector affects various sectors, including public transportation, universities, universities, and the judiciary. Employees have mobilized for warning strikes, calling for better pay and working conditions. The unions have set their sights on a 10.5% income increase and additional perks. The negotiations between the unions and state employers will commence in Potsdam this Thursday, with a potential breakthrough by the weekend.
Enrichment Data
The current wage dispute in the German public sector is a multi-faceted issue, with several key elements coming to a head. Here are some insights based on recent developments:
- Public Transport Dispute: Verdi has called for a series of warning strikes at Berlin's urban transit operator BVG, which includes bus, tram, and subway services. The strikes aim to avoid a broader movement and address low wages and poor working conditions.
- Deutsche Post Dispute: Deutsche Post has offered a 3.8% wage increase and an additional vacation day in the third round of negotiations. However, Verdi has called for further strikes, with the exact date for the fourth round of negotiations yet to be determined.
- Bosch Dispute: IG Metall, the trade union involved in this dispute, is criticized for supporting the company's cost-cutting measures. Despite public criticism, IG Metall has delayed a nationwide day of protest until after the federal election, fearing disruptions to the election process.
The outcome of these wage disputes is uncertain, influenced by various factors, including the election campaign, government policies, and worker solidarity. It remains to be seen whether unions can achieve their demands for fair wages and working conditions in the face of economic and political challenges.
Further developments in these wage disputes will depend on a range of factors, including the election landscape, government policies, and worker solidarity. The unions will need to find a balance between achieving their demands and navigating the broader economic and political context in Germany.
