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Great advance in the conflict of collective bargaining in the public function in sight
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A breakthrough is in sight in the public service wage dispute
Source: dpa / Christoph Soeder
It was going to be a sleepless night for trade unionists and employer representatives. But millions of employees can go Sunday with the prospect of higher wages.
secondA breakthrough is in sight in public sector collective bargaining. As learned from the participants in Potsdam, the top group of employers and unions reached an agreement on Sunday evening.
That night, the bodies of both parties should discuss this proposal for a salary outcome. This is the income of more than two million federal and municipal employees. With an agreement, new strikes in clinics, nurseries, local transport and town halls would be ruled out after weeks of strikes.
As learned from the negotiating circles of both parties, the compromise proposal had to be discussed in the federal tariff commissions of Ver.di and the association of public officials dbb, as well as in the general assembly of the Association of Municipal Entrepreneurs (VKA ). These committees should also advise on Sunday morning.
Without the consent of these grassroots and municipal representatives, the proposal would fail in its current form. In the morning (10 am) the leading group wanted to meet to clarify the last details. Informing the public was scheduled for noon.
Due to the corona pandemic, the collective bargaining round took place under special conditions. Members of Ver.di’s rate commission were connected in part online. Unions were under pressure to hold strikes and protests in compliance with hygiene regulations. Municipal budgets are burdened by the economic crisis and falling business tax revenue.
The third round of ongoing negotiations began on Thursday. Positions were far apart for a long time. The negotiations lasted almost 14 hours on Saturday. The committees waited hours to discuss a proposal. Details were not initially known.
The unions had entered into negotiations demanding a 4.8 per cent increase in wages and salaries over a period of one year. At least there should be 150 euros more a month. The federal government and local authorities want a three-year term. There should be an increase in rates by March 1, 2021 by 1.0 percent, then an additional 1.0 percent and 1.5 percent a year later. The first step must be linked to a minimum amount of 30 euros. Educators, bus drivers, garbage collectors, city hall employees, and many other employees are affected.
In light of the stress and strain of caregivers in the corona pandemic, attention is at the center of the negotiations. Employers had offered an assistance allowance of € 50 per month for employees of hospitals and health centers. Ver.di boss Frank Werneke had dismissed this as “scandalous”. The unions are demanding an allowance of 300 euros. Individual care areas are being intensively negotiated. VKA boss Ulrich Mädge had announced: “According to our ideas, an intensive care nurse will receive eight percent more salary.”
In union circles, it was ruled out that workers’ representatives would accept a three-year term without significantly higher wage increases. However, the president of the VKA, Mädge, had emphasized that the three years were “very important” for the municipalities.
The eight main negotiators for the municipalities of Lüneburg include Mayor Mädge (SPD) and Minister of the Interior Horst Seehofer (CSU) for the federal government, President Ulrich Silberbach for the union Ver.di Werneke and for the civil servants’ association of the dbb.
