Reported from the source

Quick summary: German trade unions ver.di and dbb have announced a significant expansion of warning strikes in the public sector of the states (Länder) starting next week. The move comes after employers failed to present a binding offer in the second round of negotiations. Strikes are expected to affect university hospitals, daycare centers, and various administrative services, with unions demanding a 7% pay increase or at least 300 Euros more for over 920,000 employees.

Trade unions ver.di and dbb plan to significantly escalate their warning strikes in the public sector of Germany’s states (Länder) from next week. ver.di head Frank Werneke stated that university hospitals and administrations would be particularly affected. Additionally, educators in city-states, employees of road clearing services, data centers, and tax offices could join the industrial action. Werneke criticized the Länder employers for not presenting a binding offer “despite repeated requests” following the second round of negotiations in Potsdam. He called on all employees to support the unions’ demands. dbb head Volker Geyer emphasized the necessity for unions to “massively increase pressure and expand strike actions,” noting that the warning strikes could continue in the upcoming winter holidays in several federal states. In previous weeks, ver.di and dbb had already caused disruptions with stoppages in daycare centers, universities, and clinics. The unions are demanding a 7% increase in income, or a minimum of 300 Euros more, for the more than 920,000 tariff employees of the states. The warning strikes are expected to continue until the final round of negotiations, scheduled from February 11 to 13. Despite the escalating strikes, Andreas Dressel, Hamburg’s Finance Senator and the Länder’s chief negotiator, expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached in February.

Source: www.tagesschau.de