Public service
Salary increase: Simplicity recommendation in the tariff dispute
The arbitrators in the tariff dispute of the federal government’s public service and come forward an increase in income in stages. However, this does not mean an end to the conflict.
There is movement in the public service in the public service in the public service and the municipalities: The arbitration commission used by employers and unions presented a majority recommendation on Friday.
As of April 1, 2025, there should be an increase of three percent for the more than 2.5 million employees, but at least 110 euros. From May 1, 2026, a further increase should follow by 2.8 percent. The annual special payment for the employees is to be increased from 2026. This was informed of the arbitration commission, chaired by the former Hessian Prime Minister Roland Koch (CDU) and the former Bremen State Councilor Hans-Henning Lühr.
In the first step, salaries should increase by three percent
Employees outside of hospitals and nursing facilities should be able to exchange parts of their annual special payment in free days. The term of the collective agreement should be 27 months.
From 2026 the possibility is to be created to voluntarily increase the weekly working hours to up to 42 hours. In addition, the arbitrators recommend improving the regulations on long -term accounts, the flexitime period and working hours of emergency services.
With this recommendation, however, the tariff dispute has not yet ended. It is only the basis for the resumption collective bargaining on April 5th and April 6th in Potsdam.
The arbitration had started on Monday under the direction of Roland Kochs and Hans-Henning Lührs.
The collective bargaining talks for the more than 2.5 million employees in important jobs from daycare to garbage disposal had failed on March 17 after three negotiation rounds. Therefore, the arbitrators had to look for a solution. On April 5, the tariff partners will be negotiated again on April 5.
During the collective bargaining dispute, the unions Verdi and DBB civil servants had repeatedly organized warning strikes that touched hundreds of thousands of people in everyday life, for example in clinics or care facilities or at airports.
Tariff dispute in the public service: originally eight percent more required
The unions originally demanded eight percent more money, but at least 350 euros more a month, as well as at least three additional days off a year. The employer side – the association of the municipal employers’ associations VKA and the Federal Ministry of the Interior – described these claims as unavailable.
During the negotiations, employers were reported to increase the fee by 5.5 percent and a higher 13th monthly salary and higher layer allowances. The term remained open. This was not enough for the unions, but they wanted to continue negotiating.
Ultimately, the employer called the arbitration because the unions would have moved too little. According to the last state of the negotiation, VKA President Karin Welge expects 15 billion euros to be distributed to two years.
Dpa · Reuters
RW
Source: Stern
