Public service: Arbitrators make recommendation

One-time payment and salary increases: The Conciliation Commission has presented its recommendation for the conflict in the public sector. The collective bargaining parties will consult again in a week.

There is movement in the collective bargaining conflict in the federal and local public services. The arbitration commission set up by employers and trade unions presented a recommendation for an agreement. According to this, the approximately 2.5 million employees are to receive tax-free inflation compensation of a total of 3,000 euros in several installments until February 2024.

From March 1, 2024, in a second step, the collective wages would initially be increased by a base amount of 200 euros and then increased by 5.5 percent. The increase amount should reach at least 340 euros. The term should be 24 months.

Different rules should apply to students, trainees and interns. They are to initially receive inflation compensation of EUR 620 and from July 2023 EUR 110 per month.

Negotiations are scheduled to resume on April 22

However, this recommendation does not end the collective bargaining dispute. It is only the basis for the continuation of collective bargaining, which is scheduled to resume on April 22 in Potsdam. If no agreement can be reached there, the trade unions ver.di and the German Association of Civil Servants could initiate a ballot on indefinite strikes.

So far it is unclear whether the latest developments have brought an agreement at the negotiating table closer. The recommendation was not passed unanimously, but only with an “overwhelming majority”, as the commission announced. This mix is ​​”a fair balance of interests, for which of course a lot of money has to be spent,” explained the chairman of the arbitration commission, the Bremen administrative lawyer Hans-Henning Lühr. He had been appointed by the workers’ side as an arbitrator.

The former Prime Minister of Saxony, Georg Milbradt (CDU), named by the employers, said he could support the recommendation “despite the unusual amount”. He hopes that the collective bargaining dispute will be settled quickly and amicably on the basis of the recommendations.

Peace obligation during arbitration period

The federal and local authorities initiated arbitration after they were unable to reach an agreement with the unions in the third round of collective bargaining. For the time of the arbitration, there is a peace obligation, so there must be no more work stoppages for the time being.

Ver.di and dbb originally demanded 10.5 percent more income, but at least 500 euros more per month for the 2.5 million employees in the public sector at federal and local level. So far, employers have offered eight percent more income and a minimum amount of 300 euros – plus a tax-free one-off payment of 3,000 euros with a payment of 1,750 euros in May.

The unions had previously organized increasingly large warning strikes. They paralyzed public transport, but also daycare centers, clinics and garbage disposal with massive warning strikes.