Recent negotiations of trade unions of state employees with German government. Unionists express disappointment, promise “peace” during an independent arbitration, but warn of more strikes after Easter.

After three days of intense negotiations, the Ver.di union and the dbb Union of Civil Servants announced early in the morning that the latest attempt to reach a compromise had failed. Home Secretary Nancy Fesser deplored the stalemate and said “especially in a time of crisis, it would be good to have everyone around the same table.” The minister also said that arbitration proceedings will now be undertaken, which provides for three stages with specific deadlines. In mid-April, a proposal is due to be submitted at the request of 2.5 million federal and state employees.

Ver.di president Frank Wernecke said “we were finally forced to realize that differences cannot be overcome”, while dbb head Ulrich Silberbach reiterated the call for “a real wage increase, not just compensation for inflation”. The trade-union bodies voted unanimously to break the negotiations.

The unions are demanding a 10.5% increase and at least an additional 500 euros per month. The employer’s latest offer provides for an increase of 8% and a minimum increase of 300 euros per month.

Source: APE/MEB