Tariff dispute: Public service: Schlichter for more money in two stages

According to the failure of the collective bargaining in the public service of the federal government and the municipalities, the arbitrators proposed a compromise: the income for more than 2.5 million employees should increase by three percent on April 1, 2025, but at least 110 euros a month. As of May 1, 2026, there should be another 2.8 percent more. This was announced by the arbitration commission, chaired by former Hessian Prime Minister Roland Koch (CDU) and the former Bremen State Councilor Hans-Henning Lühr.

The collective bargaining talks for the employees in important jobs from daycare to garbage disposal had failed on March 17 after three rounds of negotiations. Therefore, the arbitrators had to look for a solution. On April 5, the tariff partners will be negotiated again on April 5.

Simple: The task was challenging

“In view of the very far apart positions of the parties to the collective agreement, a compensation was challenging for both sides,” said Schlichter Koch, who had been named by the employers. “The result lies in the area of ​​the recent agreements and at the same time gives new perspectives for flexible work and also for the opportunity to work more.”

The Schlichter Lühr, named by the unions, also emphasized: “The conclusion of collective agreements is a complicated and challenging process in the current social situation.” It has now been possible to find a compromise in the key topics working hours and payment. The sovereign design of individual working hours has been further developed. This makes “working in the public service more attractive.”

The collective bargaining parties announced that it would not be the proposal for the time being. These are unions Verdi and DBB civil servant association for the employee side as well as the association of the municipal employers’ associations VKA and the Federal Ministry of the Interior for the employer side.

The recommendation for the unification provides for more details. Accordingly, the new collective agreement should run for 27 months. The annual special payment for employees is to be increased from 2026. In addition, employees outside of clinics and nursing homes should be given the opportunity to exchange parts of the annual special payment for free days. From 2027, according to the proposal, they should get another vacation day.

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.

From July 1, 2025, allowances for shift work are to be raised to 100 euros and for the change of change to 200 euros. Different working conditions in the tariff areas East and West are to be adjusted to the federal government. The municipalities should modernize the grouping for midwives and childbirth nurse.

During the collective bargaining dispute, the unions 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. However, a strike break is currently underway during the arbitration.

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 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. That was not enough for the unions. Ultimately, the employer called the arbitration because the unions would have moved too little.

The 26-member arbitration commission, chaired by Koch and Lühr, had met in an unknown place since Monday. Koch played the role of the “voice righteous arbitrator”, which is the decisive factor in the event of a dispute. According to the Commission, the recommendation was “majority”.