Verdi boss Frank Werneke asked employers to make clear concessions to employees before the start of arbitration in the collective bargaining dispute in the public sector. “If the arbitration is to be successful, the employers have to move again,” said Werneke of the “Augsburger Allgemeine” and was determined: “We are not bowing down in front of the employers and will not buckle.”
Last week, employers and unions were unable to agree on a deal for the 2.5 million federal and local employees. Verdi and the civil servants’ association dbb declared the negotiations to have failed; The federal and local authorities initiated the arbitration. It should start before Easter.
Werneke: “Prepared for anything”
The unions had demanded 10.5 percent more income, but at least 500 euros more per month. According to information from Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), employers had offered 8 percent more income and a minimum amount of 300 euros. However, a spokeswoman for the Association of Municipal Employers’ Associations (VKA) said that the employers had not submitted a new offer in the third round of negotiations, but that a significant increase and a minimum amount at a reasonable level were conceivable.
Werneke said: “After the Federal Minister of the Interior has given the numbers, they are the starting point for the arbitration. It would be unrealistic if the employers believed that they could go behind these numbers.”
After the end of the arbitration, the collective bargaining should continue on April 22nd. If they finally fail, widespread public sector strikes could follow. Werneke said they were going into the talks constructively and with confidence. “But of course we are prepared for anything.”
