There is still no end in sight to collective bargaining for the public sector. Verdi criticizes a first offer from employers. There is a date for new talks, but according to the union it is unclear whether these will lead to a result. If they fail, there is still a remedy.
Verdi national chairman Frank Werneke does not rule out the possibility of collective bargaining for the public sector failing. Werneke said at a rally in Schwerin on the occasion of a warning strike by educators that trade unions and employers were far apart in this collective bargaining round. The next hearing begins on March 27 and is scheduled to last three days.
“From my point of view, it is completely open whether we will come to a result or whether that is the time when we have to decide whether the negotiations will fail. And then we, as Verdi, will initiate the ballot.” In that case, all Verdi members will be asked whether they are prepared to go on strike indefinitely for their demands. To go on strike, you need 75 percent approval.
Werneke criticized the employer’s offer in the second round of negotiations, among other things, for an “incredibly long” term of 27 months. Two small salary steps of three percent in October 2023 and two percent in April 2024 were offered.
Verdi is demanding 10.5 percent more salary for federal and municipal employees, but at least an increase of 500 euros. Employers ruled out a minimum increase for lower income groups, Werneke criticized. Higher income groups benefited particularly from the offered increase in annual performance. “It’s antisocial and the opposite of what we want,” said the Verdi boss.
According to the union, around 250 women and men took part in the rally in Schwerin city center. Verdi had called for all-day work stoppages in 40 daycare centers and four after-school care centers in Schwerin and in the Northwest Mecklenburg and Ludwigslust-Parchim districts. For next Wednesday, she called for warning strikes in daycare centers and social institutions nationwide.
