Trade unions want eight percent more pay for civil servants and more time off

Germany - Every year it's that time again: the trade unions demand more money for civil servants and employees in the public sector. The next wage negotiations begin in just under three weeks.

Chairmen of various trade unions at a press conference announcing the next round of collective bargaining.
Chairmen of various trade unions at a press conference announcing the next round of collective bargaining.  © Annette Riedl/dpa

As the current collective agreement expired at the end of last year, the unions are now entering the upcoming negotiations, which begin on January 24, with the demand for an eight percent pay rise.

The trade union ver.di and the civil servants' association dbb are demanding eight percent more income for the approximately 2.5 million employees in the federal and local public sector - but at least 350 euros per month.

In addition, three additional days off are to be granted, and for union members even four days extra leave.

Volker Geyer (59), the head of the German Civil Servants' Association, defended the demands to the Rheinische Post. The gap to the private sector not only affected pay, but also working time sovereignty. "We want to change that now."

However, the statistics from the German Economic Institute speak a different language: the supposed financial gap can hardly be substantiated in reality.

Geyer's colleague, dbb boss Ulrich Silberbach (63), added that the demands were ambitious, but by no means too high. There was a shortfall of half a million people in the public sector. There was a risk of "losing out" compared to the private sector.

Whether teachers, police officers, judges, soldiers or the winter road clearance service: they all work directly for the state or for a federal state and are therefore employed in the public sector.
Whether teachers, police officers, judges, soldiers or the winter road clearance service: they all work directly for the state or for a federal state and are therefore employed in the public sector.  © Julian Stratenschulte/dpa, Jacob Schröter/dpa

Strikes loom if no agreement is reached in the wage negotiations

Geyer expects the employers to "present an acceptable offer". Otherwise, strikes cannot be ruled out. "Strikes would be felt very quickly by the public," says the collective bargaining board member.

However, civil servants would not be able to strike themselves, as they are subject to a strike ban. Instead, in case of doubt, non-civil servants would take to the streets on their behalf.