There will probably be strikes again in the next few days and weeks – including in schools and university hospitals. The Verdi union and the civil servants’ association dbb announced this on Friday after the second round of collective bargaining for the state public sector, which, according to them, was unsuccessful.
“The employers did not submit any offers in the second round either and flatly rejected all essential demands and expectations“said Verdi boss Frank Werneke after the talks.”Employers are turning a blind eye to the massive shortage of personnel in the state’s public sector, the stressful situation facing employees and inadequate pay. We will therefore massively expand the warning strikes in the period before the next round.”
It was not initially clear when the warning strikes would begin. The Federal Head of the Civil Service Association, Ulrich Silberbach, has so far only said: “We will now have to increase the pressure on the streets so that employers see how serious the situation of employees in the countries is“. The strike tactics would now be discussed and put into motion.
Next round of negotiations in December
The third round of tariffs will take place on 7/8. December in Potsdam. Verdi and the Civil Service Association are demanding 10.5 percent, but at least 500 euros more wages per month and compensation for inflation. Young talent should receive 200 euros more.
The demands are linked to the collective bargaining agreement from April of this year for the federal and local governments. After arbitration, an inflation compensation of 3,000 euros, a monthly surcharge of 340 euros and a linear wage increase of 5.5 percent were agreed upon. The unions put the average income increase at 11.5 percent.
Income differences of up to 400 euros
After the Collective Bargaining Association of German States (TdL) had already made it clear that it considered the demands to be far too high and unaffordable, Silberbach warned of the social consequences: the public service must remain efficient. The state employees looked very closely at the collective bargaining agreements between the federal and local governments. If there were still income differences of up to 400 euros, state employees would choose a better employer.
This is also made clear by the reaction of the Education and Science Union (GEW), which called on its members to protest. “In the next few weeks, the employees will give the right answer to this confrontational course of the TdL with strikes and actions in the companies and on the streets“, said chairwoman Maike Finnern. Inflation is not over yet.