Berlin
Closed daycare centers, no garbage collection and trams: the head of the civil service association is threatening widespread strikes. Is the tariff dispute escalating?
The head of the German Association of Civil Servants (DBB) Ulrich Silberbach threatens tariff dispute of the federal and local public services with a “lockdown” through widespread strikes. “Such a hard industrial dispute threatens if the employers do not submit an offer after three rounds of negotiations. Then needlesticks, i.e. warning strikes, are no longer enough,” said Silberbach of the “Augsburger Allgemeine”. “Then there is a threat of a labor dispute, so a lockdown for public service. Then the trams stop, day-care centers close and the rubbish stays where it is. Then it will be uncomfortable in this country.”
Wage dispute in the public sector: initial negotiations failed
earnings and the civil servants’ association dbb are demanding 10.5 percent more income, but at least 500 euros more with a contract period of twelve months for the around 2.5 million employees. The Association of Municipal Employers’ Associations (VKA) had described the demands as “unaffordable” before the start of the negotiations.
After the first round of negotiations on Tuesday in Potsdam, unions and employer adjourned without result. The talks are scheduled to continue on February 22nd and 23rd – the probably decisive third round of negotiations is planned for the end of March.
Lack of staff exacerbates problems in the public service
Silberbach called on Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) to put his foot down financing an appropriate degree. The states would also have to pass on more federal funds to the municipalities.
The chief of civil servants also called on the federal, state and local governments, more resolutely against the staff shortage act in the public service. “We are threatened with state failure,” said Silberbach. The public service cannot meet the political requirements in view of the lack of staff and the “insufficient digitization”. Politics knows this.
Silberbach warns: “We are serious”
However, it is argued that the necessary improvements for the Civil Service would cost too much money. “But the money is there: In recent years, Germany has put more than 600 billion euros on the table in response to all the crises,” said the DBB chairman.
Silberbach told the newspaper he was closing “Area Strikes” not from. “Employers should know: This is no fun, just not the usual ritual. We are serious because we have to do something about the frustration in the departments.” (lro/AFP/dpa)
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