Salary Negotiations for Federal and Municipal Public Services Begin
January 24, 2025, 9:30 AM
Negotiations between the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB) and the Association of German Cities (Städtetag) have officially commenced for a new collective bargaining agreement for public sector employees at the federal and municipal levels.
The current agreement, which affects approximately 2.5 million employees, expires on March 31, 2025. Unions are demanding a 10.5% salary increase to compensate for soaring inflation and the rising cost of living. The Städtetag, meanwhile, has proposed a more modest 5% increase.
“Our members are facing unprecedented financial pressures,” said Verdi Chairman Frank Werneke. “They deserve a fair wage that keeps up with inflation and allows them to maintain their standard of living.”
However, the Städtetag argues that the union’s demands are unrealistic and could lead to unsustainable costs for municipalities. “We are committed to fair compensation, but we also have a responsibility to ensure that our cities remain financially sound,” said Städtetag President Markus Lewe.
The negotiations are expected to be complex and challenging. Inflation in Germany hit a record high of 8.7% in December 2022, driven by rising energy and food prices. Public sector wages have not kept pace with inflation, leading to a decline in purchasing power for many employees.
The outcome of the negotiations will have a significant impact on the lives of public sector workers and the financial stability of municipalities. Talks are scheduled to continue throughout February and March, with a deadline of March 31st for an agreement to be reached.
Additional Information:
- The DGB is the largest trade union federation in Germany, representing over six million members from various sectors.
- The Städtetag is an association of German cities and towns, representing over 11,000 municipalities.
- The current collective bargaining agreement, known as TVöD, was signed in 2020 and provided for a 3.2% salary increase in 2021 and a 1.8% increase in 2022.
- The last major strike in the German public sector occurred in 2018, when Verdi members walked off the job for several weeks to demand a 6% salary increase.
Tarifverhandlungen für den öffentlichen Dienst von Bund und Kommunen beginnen
The AI has provided us with the news.
I’ve asked Google Gemini the following question, and here’s its response.
Kurzmeldungen a new article on 2025-01-24 09:30 titled “Tarifverhandlungen für den öffentlichen Dienst von Bund und Kommunen beginnen”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
47