The head of the German Public Service Association (DBB), Ulrich Silberbach is threatening to expand a series of ‘warning strikes’ if employers continue to reject union demands as unworkable.
Mr Silberbach made these comments in the lead-up to the next round of negotiations in the Public Service wage dispute which has dragged on for weeks.
“Politicians in the Federal Government, but especially those in the Federal States, are to blame for the tense financial situation in the municipalities,” Mr Silberbach said.
“If the employers continue to stonewall, the warning strikes will inevitably have to be extended.”
President of the Association of Municipal Employers (VKA), Karin Welge said she still had the “unrestricted will” to come to a conclusion as planned in this negotiation period.
Ms Welge (pictured) criticised the demands of the DBB and fellow union, VER.DI, describing them as unworkable.
“If the demands were met, this would exceed the capacity of the municipalities,” Ms Welge said.
VER.DI and the DBB are demanding a 10.5 per cent pay increase for the approximately 2.5 million employees in Federal and Local Government, with a minimum increase of €500 ($A778).
They also seek the new collective agreement to have a term of 12 months. The employers reject this, saying it is not economically viable.
The first round of negotiations ended in January without a result, which led to a wave of warning strikes.
Berlin, 20 February 2023
