Continuation of Collective Bargaining Negotiations for Federal and Municipal Public Services
Berlin, February 10, 2025 – The collective bargaining negotiations for employees in the federal and municipal public services have been resumed today. The negotiating parties, the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) and the Association of German Cities (Städtetag), gathered in Potsdam to continue discussions.
Key Demands of the Unions
The unions are demanding a wage increase of 10.5% for the approximately 2.5 million employees in the public sector. They argue that this is necessary to compensate for the rising cost of living and to ensure that public service employees receive a fair wage. Other demands include:
- Improved working conditions
- Strengthening of pensions
- Increased investment in education and training
Position of the Employer
The employers’ association has rejected the unions’ demands as excessive and unrealistic. They argue that such a high wage increase would be unaffordable for municipalities and would lead to cuts in essential services. The Städtetag has proposed a wage increase of 5%, which they claim is both fair and sustainable.
Current Status of Negotiations
The first round of negotiations ended without an agreement. Both sides have agreed to continue talks in the coming weeks. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for February 24, 2025.
Potential Impact
If an agreement cannot be reached, it could lead to strikes and other industrial action by public service employees. This could disrupt essential services such as healthcare, education, and transportation.
Background
The current collective bargaining agreement for the public sector expired on December 31, 2024. Negotiations between the unions and the employers’ association have been ongoing since January 2025.
Additional Information
- The German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) represents over 6 million members from various sectors of the economy.
- The Association of German Cities (Städtetag) represents over 3,400 municipalities in Germany.
- The public sector in Germany includes federal, state, and municipal employees.
The outcome of the collective bargaining negotiations will have a significant impact on the wages and working conditions of public service employees in Germany. It will also affect the provision of essential services to the public.
Fortsetzung der Tarifverhandlungen für den öffentlichen Dienst von Bund und Kommunen
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