Throngs of Individuals Advocate for Collective Agreement for Uni Aides in Saxony
Over 600 individuals across Saxony, Germany, voiced their support for a collective agreement for university assistants on Monday. According to the GEW union, crowds of approximately 300 people demonstrated in Leipzig, with around 250 joining the rally in Dresden. The count for the demonstration in Chemnitz remained unavailable midday.
Research and student aides declared intentions to launch a warning strike spanning from Monday to Friday. GEW reported that approximately 7,000 students work in Saxony, and the union advocates for an increase of 10.5% and at least an additional €500 in wages throughout the collective bargaining session.
Germany's DGB Saxony head, Markus Schlimbach, urged for the eradication of the wage disparity between student employees and called for their inclusion under the agreement. "Without a collective agreement, students work primarily at minimum wage levels, often boasting contracts of only a few months. This is employment and social exploitation endured by the Free State at the expense of students," Schlimbach argued.
Gerald Eisenblätter, Chairman of the Education Working Group in the SPD Saxony party, expressed the belief that the living and working conditions of student aides have evolved, and that delivering the future's top researchers necessitates commitment to personnel development.
Universities should examine the potential for incorporating student aides into the scope of their public service agreements due to their pivotal role in academic research. The ongoing tariff negotiations between GEW and universities must embrace the importance of a decent wage and job stability for these essential public service providers.
Insights:
- German labor laws require student assistants to have health insurance, with mandatory contributions to pension and unemployment insurance.
- The German tax system features distinct tax rates; for individual taxpayers, a 0% rate applies to annual income below €10,908.
- Collective bargaining agreements are common in Germany, with trade unions like IG Metall having considerable influence on significant employers, such as Volkswagen.
- The regional context in Saxony could shape collective bargaining negotiations, considering Saxony's economic circumstances and its diverse industries.
- Academic collaboration between Bremen and Oldenburg universities highlights the broader academic landscape in Germany, indirectly affecting student aide working conditions and benefits.
[1] Source: Bundesministerium für Arbeit und Soziales - Arbeitnehmerrechte [2] Source: Universität Bremen - Nordwestbund [3] Source: IG Metall
