Unrest at Hessian Universities on Monday Over Fair Compensation
Driven by a burning desire for improved remuneration, a motley crew of educators and scholars plan to voice their concerns through demonstrations at multiple Hessian higher education institutions on Monday. Simone Claar, serving as the deputy chairperson for the Hesse division of the Education and Science Union (GEW), set the tone for the impending actions by advocating for an immediate revision of the collective bargaining agreement that affects the 12,000 academic assistants in Hesse.
Claar's criticism extends to the issue of fixed-term contracts frequently issued to academic assistants. She expressed disappointment at the lack of progress despite numerous negotiations and voluntary commitments from employers. The GEW's response: establishing binding salary regulations for Hessian universities.
Scheduled to take place on Monday, the unrest will be visible in Kassel, Giessen, Marburg, Frankfurt, and Darmstadt. These activities are part of the collective bargaining round in the federal states, spearheaded by a union-led coalition involving the Verdi trade union, German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), Juso university groups, and the Network for Good Work in Science (NGAWiss) apart from GEW.
Not limited to these Hessian institutions, these protests extend to Kassel, Giessen, Marburg, Frankfurt, and Darmstadt universities. The GEW's stance on requiring binding salary regulations remains unwavering, even with associated tariff implications.
Further exploration of the reasons behind the GEW's protests reveals a broader context of labor disputes across Germany. The German trade union ver.di, representing public sector workers, is currently demanding a 350 euro monthly increase (equivalent to an 8% salary bump) and three extra days of vacation leave.
In light of the university protests, it is hypothesized that the GEW is also advocating for equivalent wage hikes and enhanced working conditions. However, specific demands have remained elusive in the existing sources.
The protests in Hesse are part of a much larger movement aimed at enhancing wages and working conditions across various sectors, including public services and education. The escalating discontent stems from the ineffective negotiations between unions and employers, with the possibility of nationwide strikes looming if a resolution is not quickly attained.
