Union Action Persists in Public Sector Wage Dispute
The union turmoil in Germany's public sector continues, with Verdi, DJG, and DBB members enacting strike actions this week. Verdi incited its workers in Hanseatic city's building yards to strike, while DJG and DBB members held a peaceful assembly by the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court on Sievekingplatz. The exact number of participants participating in these events remains unverified.
Verdi announced its resolve to strike in specific areas of public services and infrastructure until Thursday. On Wednesday, they urged employees from district offices, schools, the education authority, state school construction company, the fire department, and other entities to strike. The primary focus will be the northern district, with a planned demonstration scheduled for Volksdorf.
Verdi seeks a 10.5% income increase for public sector workers, with a minimum monthly payment of 500 euros. Junior staff should receive an additional 200 euros, and trainees deserve indefinite employment opportunities. They also demand a monthly city-state bonus of 300 euros. According to TdL, these demands are deemed excessive and unaffordable during the negotiation process.
Negotiations involving about 1.1 million employees commence on December 7, with an estimated 1.4 million civil servants affected by their results. In Hamburg, this translates to approximately 46,000 employees and 42,000 civil servants.
In light of Verdi's demands, TdL suggests exploring alternative avenues, such as implementing specific tariffs on public services, to offset potential wage hikes. Meanwhile, the ongoing strikes may result in significant disruptions to essential public services, leaving a large impact on the general public.
The unyielding union demands and resistance from employers and governmental bodies create a challenging situation amid the political and economic pressures inherent in the upcoming federal election campaign. Union activists also advocate for reforming the debt brake and providing financial aid to public services impacted by the constraints.
