Frank Werneke chose clear words. A “never-ending Barrage of attacks on the welfare state and the rights of dependent employees,” complained the Verdi chairman at his union’s annual press conference on Friday in Berlin. The employers’ and business associations were “completely uninhibited.” They would be assisted by a neoliberal team of scientists and “of course from large parts of the Union“.
They convey a distorted image of the world of work in Germany, which is characterized by a disdain for the performance and commitment of employees, stated Werneke. Apparently they are not hardworking enough and make people sick too often. “That’s cheeky and presumptuous,” said Werneke. He invites “all smart-asses in the bubble from politics, business associations and business” to drive along for a few shifts at the city cleaning service or to spend time in an emergency room.
Under the Headline “Justice instead of division” Verdi, together with the other seven DGB individual unions, published a statement on Friday in which they called for a “stop of these clear-cutting debates”. “The attacks by the Union and employers on the welfare state and employees are becoming more and more outrageous,” it says. What is currently being described as a “reform debate” is nothing more than “an indictment for the Union and many business associations”.
The statement speaks of “increasingly adventurous proposals at the expense of the people”. In doing so, the unions are targeting the various demands that have emerged from these circles in recent weeks – from the Restriction of the right to work part-timethe abolition of the eight-hour day and the deterioration of protection against dismissal, about the extension of working life and the Weakening of the statutory pension up to the restriction of continued payment of wages in the event of illness and Cuts in health care. “Almost no field is left out,” said Verdi boss Werneke indignantly.
Trade unions demand “an end to debates that only create uncertainty”
“We demand an end to the debates that only unsettle and divide society,” write the DGB unions. “Instead of demolition plans for labor rights and the welfare state, we need more tax justice for high incomes and assets,” they demand. Instead of denying employees their hard-won rights, there is a need for “decisive reforms that will move Germany forward” and to which “the rich and uber-rich must finally contribute.”
However, the unions did not announce any concrete actions to put social pressure on the federal government to “change course” that they demanded. Instead, it only says that they are “ready for a constructive dialogue about the future of our country.”
However, Verdi wants to put more pressure on the collective bargaining for the public sector in the federal states. Verdi deputy chairwoman Christine Behle announced “a colorful first half of the week” on Friday. Nationwide, all areas with the states as employers are affected, especially university hospitals, but also road construction administrations or IT. There had already been extensive warning strikes in the countries in the past few weeks.
One of the main strike areas in the coming week will be North Rhine-Westphalia. On Tuesday, warning strikers from schools, university hospitals, the police, authorities, the judiciary and other parts of the state administration are expected to take part in a large demonstration in front of the state parliament in Düsseldorf.
Collective bargaining for the public service of the federal states before a decisive round
“It is the last wave of pressure before the last round of negotiations,” said Behle. After two fruitless negotiations, Verdi and the German Civil Service Association, which is co-negotiating, will meet with the employers from February 11th to 13th for what is expected to be the decisive third round of negotiations in Potsdam.
Verdi and the Civil Service Association are demanding 7 percent more money per month – but at least an additional 300 euros. There should be 200 euros more per month for young talent. The term of the new collective agreement should be twelve months. The employer has not yet submitted an offer. Behle was optimistic that a deal could be achieved in Potsdam. Otherwise there could also be a fourth round of negotiations. There is no provision for arbitration in this collective bargaining round.
Like IG Metall Verdi had to complain about a decline in membership last year. Almost 132,000 new entrants were compared to around 166,400 departures due to resignation, cancellation due to non-payment of contributions or death. On balance, membership fell by more than 34,000 to around 1.83 million. Verdi sees the main reason for the decline in the transition of the baby boomers into retirement.
Verdi is still doing well economically. The union collected 566.5 million euros in membership fees last year – an increase of 22.3 million euros compared to the previous year thanks to increased employee earnings. “We are in a rock solid financial position, also with a view to all the necessary industrial action measures,” said Verdi boss Wernecke.