BUND and municipalities: Collective bargaining in the public service for the time being

The collective bargaining for the public service of the federal government and municipalities failed for the time being. Now independent arbitrators should look for a solution in the stuck dispute. This was announced by the federal negotiator, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD), in Potsdam. The warning strikes, which paralyzed daycare centers, garbage disposal and other facilities all over Germany, are over for the time being – they are not permitted during the arbitration.

The unions Verdi and the DBB civil servant Association criticized the decision. He has absolutely no understanding, said Verdi boss Frank Werneke, “because with lights the differences that are on the table are not so big”. The employee side was prepared to negotiate all night and also offered a fourth round of negotiations. “So I very much regret the federal government and municipalities to flee into the arbitration,” said Werneke.

Faeser and the negotiator of the municipalities, Karin Welge,, on the other hand, stated that the unions had moved too little. “But now I also expect willingness to compromise from the unions so that we will end up with a good degree in the interests of the employees,” said Faeser.

Finally, it was a volume of 15 billion euros for two years, said Welge. This was not affordable for the municipalities in this dimension. “It was not possible to achieve an overall degree that was to be represented for us even,” said Welge, the president of the association of the municipal employers’ associations and mayor of Gelsenkirchen.

Arrangement result expected in early April

Many details on the state of negotiation remained open with reference to the arbitration. Negotiations will be negotiated constructively and are ready for an agreement, said Werneke. According to Faeser, the arbitration should begin within the next three days and will be completed in early April.

Since Friday, the third round of negotiations has been running for more than 2.5 million people who work in clinics or daycare centers, airports or local transport, baths or care facilities, clarification or waste companies. The majority is employed according to the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD), usually the conclusion is later transferred to civil servants. Employees of the federal states are not affected, for which negotiations are made separately.

New numbers on the table

For the employees, the unions and the DBB civil servants originally demanded a tariff increase of eight percent, but at least 350 euros more per month. They also wanted to enforce at least three additional days. This was too expensive for the employers of the federal government and municipalities. Finally, it was said that the employer offered an increase in fees by 5.5 percent as well as a higher 13th monthly salary and higher layer allowances. The term remained open.

The unions said they had accommodated employers at the term and percentage and had also given up other claims. However, there are things, such as a social component in the collective agreement, which are basically non -negotiable. In this way, lower wage groups would have to be taken into account. However, the employers would have been difficult.

The crisp point was also reported that the three days off. Instead, employers brought an election model for employees to conversation with which parts of the annual special payment could be converted into days off.

How the arbitration continues

After the talks have failed, simple ones are now on the move to convey between both sides. Employers have named the former Hessian Prime Minister Roland Koch (CDU). As a “voting” arbitrator, he could be the decisive factor for a compromise. For the employee side, the former Bremen Finance Councilor Hans-Henning Lührer should become Schlichter.

There was also such a procedure for the previous negotiations for the employees of the federal and municipalities in 2023. In arbitration, attempts are made to help you make a breakthrough with the help of independent arbitrators. Warning strikes are then off the table for a certain time – during the arbitration there is an obligation to peace.