Gelsenkirchen Mayor Appeals for Moderation in Public Sector Wage Negotiations
Karin Welge, Mayor of Gelsenkirchen and President of the Association of Municipal Employers’ Associations (VKA), has urged labor unions to adjust their demands in ongoing wage negotiations for the public sector.
"More free time cannot be the solution," Welge emphasized in an interview with WDR 2’s "Morgenmagazin." Welge, along with Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser, is leading the negotiations on the employer side.
She acknowledged that union representatives believe increased leisure time would enhance the attractiveness of public service, while also expressing concerns over excessive workload. However, Welge stated that "we cannot suddenly hire significantly more people for the public sector within a few months. Therefore, the formula ultimately does not add up."
Welge highlighted the impact of relief days introduced in 2022 for full-time employees in municipal social and educational services. "As a result, certain childcare facilities were closed more frequently, leaving everyone dissatisfied: the employees who had specifically gone on strike for this measure, as well as the parents," she said. "Therefore, I do not believe this can be the solution: increasing attractiveness through more free time."
Today in Potsdam, unions, the federal government, and municipal employers are resuming their wage negotiations for the public sector. The discussions affect approximately 2.5 million employees in federal and municipal services, including educators, nurses, bus drivers, firefighters, and numerous other occupational groups. In recent days, they have already attracted attention to their demands through warning strikes in various locations.
The public sector union Verdi and the civil servants’ union dbb are seeking an eight percent pay increase, or a minimum of €350 per month, along with three additional days off. In the first round of negotiations in late January, the employers did not present an offer.
Welge criticized the unions’ demands as amounting to well over ten percent for one year. She stressed that given the economic recession, everyone should strive to maintain the current level of service provision.
Municipalities are burdened with €160 billion in debt and are struggling to find an old-debt solution. In some cases, public transportation routes can no longer be operated due to chronic underfunding. Welge stated that this example clearly demonstrates that there is "no room for upward movement or significant variance" on the part of municipal employers. "Therefore, it is not at all a given that we have to present an offer."
Further Analysis and Context
The ongoing wage negotiations between public sector unions and employers are part of a broader debate about the role and funding of public services in Germany. Unions argue that low wages and high workloads are making it difficult to attract and retain qualified workers in the public sector, which is essential for maintaining the quality of public services. Employers, on the other hand, point to the financial constraints faced by municipalities and the need to ensure that wage increases do not lead to unsustainable public debt.
The demands of the unions are particularly significant given the current economic climate in Germany. The country is facing a recession and a cost-of-living crisis, which is putting pressure on both public and private finances. The employers’ reluctance to make significant concessions in the wage negotiations reflects their concerns about the potential impact on municipal budgets.
The outcome of the negotiations will have implications for the future of public services in Germany. A fair and reasonable wage settlement could help to improve working conditions and attract more workers to the public sector. However, excessive wage increases could put a strain on municipal finances and jeopardize the provision of essential public services.
