Verdi massively extends warning strike in the public sector
Hamburg's citizens must be prepared for considerable restrictions in public services next week. Following the second round of collective bargaining for the public sector in the federal states, which failed to produce a result, the Verdi trade union plans to massively extend the warning strikes on Tuesday. The union announced on Saturday that employees of state companies, specialist authorities, schools, district offices, job centers and the fire department would then be called to strike. A rally is planned for the morning (10.30 a.m.) at the union building. The strikers then plan to march to the tax authorities, where the final rally will take place.
On Saturday, the city's sports field attendants had already gone on a warning strike, which was to be continued on Sunday. This was associated with restrictions and cancellations in match operations. The Hamburg Football Association announced that it would review possible and necessary rescheduled matches on Monday and automatically reschedule them if necessary. It also pointed out that there were sufficient make-up match days in the fixture calendar. Furthermore, there are enough pitches that are operated without state personnel.
With regard to the massive expansion of the warning strikes, Nicole Drücker, Hamburg member of the Federal Collective Bargaining Commission, said: "November will be a strike November, which means we have to take everything to the streets." The only language the employers understand is pressure. "Instead of putting a collective bargaining solution on the table, they told us that we could apply for housing benefit. That's outrageous," said Drücker.
The trade unions are demanding a 10.5 percent increase in income for public sector employees in the federal states, but at least 500 euros more. Junior staff are to receive 200 euros more. The wage agreement is to run for 12 months. For Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen, the unions are demanding a monthly city-state bonus of 300 euros. The demands thus tie in with the wage agreement reached in April of this year for the federal government and local authorities.
The Tarifgemeinschaft deutscher Länder (TdL), chaired by Hamburg's Finance Senator Andreas Dressel (SPD), had made it clear that it considered the demands to be far too high and unaffordable. The third round of negotiations is scheduled for December 7.
The failure of trade unions to reach an agreement during the second round of collective bargaining for federal states' public sector has led to Verdi planning a significant expansion of warning strikes in various sectors, including state companies, specialist authorities, schools, district offices, job centers, and the fire department. This could potentially result in significant disruptions in public services across the affected regions.
Amidst the ongoing negotiations over tariffs, Nicole Drücker, a Hamburg member of the Federal Collective Bargaining Commission, has expressed her belief that November will be a strike-filled month, emphasizing the need for pressure tactics due to the employers' apparent unwillingness to propose a collective bargaining solution.
Source: www.dpa.com
