Public service
Verdi boss demonstrates determination before collective bargaining round
The unions dbb and Verdi are demanding 10.5 percent more income for employees in the public sector, but at least 500 euros more per month. photo
© Uwe Zucchi/dpa
10.5 percent more income, but at least 500 euros more: that’s what Verdi and dbb are demanding for the public sector. “If it’s necessary, we’ll go on strike,” says Verdi boss Werneke.
Before the collective bargaining for the public sector, the Verdi union demonstrated determination. “If it’s necessary, we’ll go on strike,” Verdi boss Frank Werneke told the Süddeutsche Zeitung (Monday). He called on federal and local employers to submit a wage offer for the second round of negotiations in February that would enable an agreement to be reached. “Unfortunately, the bad habit of not making any serious offers until the last night of negotiations has caught on. Anyone who acts like this shouldn’t complain about warning strikes.” Werneke said that warning strikes would affect the entire public sector.
Negotiations for around 2.5 million federal and local employees begin on Tuesday. The unions dbb and Verdi are demanding 10.5 percent more income, but at least 500 euros more per month. The Association of Municipal Employers’ Associations (VKA) had rejected the demands as “unaffordable”.