Labor Unrest Looms in Saxony as Union Calls for Further Strikes After Inconclusive Wage Negotiations
Background
The ongoing labor negotiations between the German trade union Verdi and the German Employers’ Association for the Public Sector (VKA), representing the federal government and municipalities, have reached an impasse, prompting Verdi to announce plans for a wave of warning strikes in Saxony.
Dresden Strike on Wednesday
Verdi has called for a full-day warning strike in Dresden on Wednesday, February 22nd. The strike will target employees of the city administration, the city hospital, the Bundeswehr service center, the military history museum, and the federal waterway and shipping administration.
Scope of the Strike
The strike call extends to all tariff employees, apprentices, students, and interns in Dresden. The strikers will gather at the union headquarters in the morning before marching in a demonstration at noon.
Exemptions and Concerns
The strike will not include employees of childcare facilities. The Education and Science Union (GEW) has scheduled a one-day strike for Thursday, February 20th, contingent on the absence of a collective bargaining agreement by then.
The Saxon Educators’ Association (SEV) has also signaled its intention to escalate pressure through warning strikes after the winter break, which ends on March 1st. "This bargaining round is of paramount importance to Saxon educators. However, there has been no progress at the negotiating table," declared Alexandra Pfeifer of the SEV. "The employers must now expect a strong response from the staff."
Demands and Negotiations
Verdi and the dbb Beamtenbund und Tarifunion (dbb), another trade union representing the civil service, are negotiating with the federal government and municipalities regarding salaries and working hours for over 2.5 million employees. These employees work in various sectors, including administration, childcare, education, public transportation, and fire protection.
The unions are demanding an 8% salary increase, with a minimum of €350 per month. They also seek additional days off and the introduction of a "more time for me" account. These measures are deemed necessary to reduce the workload in childcare facilities and safeguard the quality of care.
Impact and Implications
The warning strikes, if carried out as planned, could have significant repercussions on public services in Saxony. The full extent of the impact will depend on the participation rate and the targeted areas.
The ongoing collective bargaining dispute highlights the challenges faced by the public sector in meeting employee demands for fair compensation and improved working conditions. The outcome of the negotiations will have a direct bearing on the well-being and morale of a vast workforce responsible for delivering essential public services.
