College round at the federal and lenses: no rapid agreement is expected

The collective bargaining for the public service of the federal government and municipalities also dragged on in the fourth round. On Saturday, employers and unions negotiated in Potsdam based on a recommendation of arbitrators to raise the fees in two stages and to handle working hours more flexibly. But there was no result in sight even after hours. If there is no solution, trade unionists could initiate a pre -vote on permanent strikes.

It is about income and working hours of more than 2.5 million employees in important jobs, from administration to daycare centers, garbage disposal, clinics to transport companies. At the negotiating table, the unions Verdi and DBB civil servants are sitting with the association of municipal employers’ associations VKA and the Federal Ministry of the Interior.

The tariff discussions were declared failed in mid -March after the third round and an arbitration was initiated. As a result, a commission, chaired by Roland Koch (CDU) and Henning Lühr (SPD), developed a compromise. The experts from unions and employers in the arbitration commission were reportedly approved by a large majority.

Nevertheless, there was a need for conversation in Potsdam. According to reports, it was particularly controversial to increase the proposal of the arbitrators from 2026 to increase the weekly working hours on a voluntary basis to up to 42 hours.

The arbitrators had proposed a package. Income should be raised to two stages – from April 1, 2025 by three percent, but at least 110 euros a month; As of May 1, 2026, another 2.8 percent. 27 months are recommended as a term of the new collective agreement. From July 1, 2025, allowances for shift work are to be raised to 100 euros and for the change of change to 200 euros.

The 13th monthly content is to be increased from 2026. In addition, employees outside of clinics and nursing homes are to be given the opportunity to exchange parts of this year specialty in free days. From 2027, according to the proposal, they should get another vacation day. In addition to the voluntary increase in the weekly working hours, the arbitrators also recommend improving the regulations on long -term accounts, the flexitime period and working hours of emergency services.

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.

The arbitration committee, half of which consists of representatives of employers and unions, had approved the arbitration recommendation.

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. This described the employer side as not affordable.

In the third round of negotiations, the employers had reportedly offered an increase in fees by 5.5 percent and a higher 13th monthly salary and higher shifts. That was not enough for the unions. Ultimately, the employer called the arbitration because the unions would have moved too little.

Mutual demands of both tariff parties are considered crazy, which are not regulated in the arbitration recommendation. In their view, the municipalities criticize the total costs. Among other things, the unions want more free days than compensation for an overtime mountain, which numerous employees postpone. Often they cannot compensate for the accumulated overtime as free time because numerous positions in public administrations are vacant.

During the tariff round there were several warning strikes that touched hundreds of thousands of people, for example in local transport, at airports, in jacks or nursing homes. However, there has been a break since the beginning of the arbitration.