Verdi calls for strike: Disruptions expected
The citizens of Hamburg, Berlin and Bremen must be prepared for disruptions today due to a "city-state strike" in the public sector. According to the Verdi trade union, thousands of employees from all areas of public service in the federal states are expected to take part in demonstrations in Hamburg and Berlin. The rallies will each be broadcast live to the other rally location, Verdi announced on Tuesday.
In Hamburg, employees from Bremen and Berlin are also expected to take part in the rally (11.00 a.m.), with numerous buses planning to travel to the demonstration in the Hanseatic city. After the opening rally at the Gewerkschaftshaus, a demonstration march will then lead along Steintorwall and Mönckebergstraße. The final rally is planned not far from the town hall.
The trade unions Verdi and dbb Beamtenbund are demanding a pay rise of 10.5 percent, but at least 500 euros, for the approximately 1.1 million employees nationwide and indirectly also for the approximately 1.4 million civil servants. In addition, they want a bonus of 300 euros per month for employees in the city states of Bremen, Hamburg and Berlin. According to Verdi, around 41,000 tariff employees and 42,000 civil servants are affected in Hamburg, to whom the tariff result is to be transferred.
However, the Tarifgemeinschaft der Länder (TdL), chaired by Hamburg's Finance Senator Andreas Dressel (SPD), made it clear in the second round of negotiations that it considers the demands to be far too high and unaffordable. The third round of negotiations is scheduled to begin on December 7.
The Trade unions Verdi and dbb Beamtenbund are also planning demonstrations in Berlin, following their demand for a significant pay rise and bonus. The proposed tariffs, including a 10.5% increase and a 300 euro monthly bonus for employees in certain city-states, have sparked opposition from the Tarifgemeinschaft der Länder, leading to anticipated tariff disputes and potential strikes.
Source: www.dpa.com
