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In the collective bargaining conflict over the civil service, two rounds of negotiations yielded no results. Now the unions are showing their muscles and announced warning strikes starting Tuesday.
People in Germany are facing new warning strikes in the public service. The ver.di union announced that the first regional work stoppages will begin on Tuesday. Where and in which industries the strike will only become clear at the beginning of the week, he said.
There could be defaults in daycare, for example, depending on the bargaining circles on the other side. However, since these are warning strikes, it is to be expected that the kindergarten teachers will not stop working for more than a day or two.
Reproach the employer
“Public employers have locked themselves in two rounds,” said ver.di boss Frank Werneke. There were no signs of respect or appreciation for the employees. “This makes warning strikes unavoidable,” the union leader said. Werneke accused the employer of failing to submit an offer.
Werneke described as “scandalous” that the east-west harmonization of working hours demanded by the unions is not implemented until 2025. The Verdi boss also rejected the validity of a new collective agreement that the municipalities aim until 2023. The unions demand a one-year term. “Employers are aggravating the conflict. The answer will now come from the companies,” Werneke said.
For one not to end up in arbitration, the unions would have to increase pressure on employers in the coming weeks, demanded the president of the German Association of Public Officials, Ulrich Silberbach.
Ver.di asks for 4.8 percent
The chief negotiator for the municipalities, Mayor Ulrich Mädge of Lüneburg, said that the main thing was safety and recognition of the work done by employees. The fact that employers have not yet submitted an offer is due to separate rounds of negotiations agreed with hospitals and savings banks. “When we have finished these two tables, we will sit down and present an offer to the unions,” Mädge said.
Federal Interior Minister Horst Seehofer was optimistic about an agreement between the two parties. “Before the next round, we will present an offer to the workers’ representatives so that they can prepare for the likely final round of negotiations,” Seehofer said. A balance must be struck between employee performance and the plight of the corona pandemic.
Ver.di asks for a rate increase of 4.8 percent, but at least 150 euros, for a period of twelve months. The remuneration of apprentices will be increased by 100 euros, the partial retirement regulations will be improved and the working day in the east will be aligned with that in the west. More negotiations are scheduled for October 22 and 23.
