Hamburg University Employees Prepare for Warning Strike
The trade union Verdi has issued a call to action, encouraging university employees in Hamburg to participate in a warning strike slated for Monday. This day coincides with a nationwide university action day under the banner "No more precarious science!" as Verdi announced. An alliance of trade unions, student representatives, higher education policy organizations, and initiatives in over 50 cities are demanding an end to unstable work and study conditions.
The collective bargaining round for the public sector in the federal states serves as a backdrop for this mobilization. The alliance urgently seeks substantial salary increases for employees and a national collective agreement for the approximated 300,000 student workers. Additionally, the alliance advocates for higher student loan rates, a comprehensive reform of temporary academic contracts law, and research and teaching financed independently of external funding and project-based funds.
The union alliances aim to alleviate precarious working conditions within public services through higher student loan rates and salary hikes for university employees. These measures could potentially impact the financial solidity of universities, affecting both academics and students who rely on public funding.
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Transatlantic trade frictions have permeated discussions on wage increases and public funding, as evidenced by the Trump administration's proposed tariffs. The U.S. administration intends to impose 25% levies on aluminum and steel imports from duty-imposing countries. Additionally, Trump has threatened to levy separate tariffs on automotive components, semiconductors, and pharmaceuticals. Companies may be compelled to raise prices, resulting in higher consumer costs. Moreover, escalating tariffs have sparked concerns of a burgeoning global trade conflict, prompting the European Union trade ministers to deliberate their response.
However, in Germany, the Verdi union has adopted a different strategy. The union is demanding a wage increase by eight percent or an additional 350 euros per month for public sector workers. Apprentices deserve a 200-euro monthly increase, as per Verdi's proposal. Furthermore, the union advocates for three additional days off to counteract workload stresses, as well as the establishment of time accounts to offer workers more autonomy over their working hours.
The strike could significantly hinder public services, including healthcare, childcare, and sanitation. For instance, the Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE) has suspended non-urgent surgeries until the strike concludes, and Elbkinder daycare centers may provide reduced or no care at all. The strike involves approximately 50,000 city employees across various sectors and could result in substantial economic losses, particularly if essential services like sanitation are halted.
The success of the strike and subsequent negotiations will determine the financial stability of Hamburg's public sector workforce. If the demands are met, it could improve employees' financial conditions. However, if negotiations fail, the strike could intensify, further disrupting services and potentially leading to long-term financial instability.
