Sharp demands: 8% more for public services now!

Sharp demands: 8% more for public services now!

There is an atmosphere of tension in the capital, focused on the upcoming collective bargaining negotiations in the public sector. Ulrich Silberbach, the federal chairman of the dbb (German Civil Service Association and Collective Bargaining Union), recently announced that an increase in salaries of 8 percent is required for the 2025 income round, but at least 350 euros per month. These demands are a direct response to the alarming shortage of staff in the public sector, where 570,000 positions are currently unfilled.

Silberbach noted on October 9, 2024 that the demographic challenge, which threatens to create even larger gaps, has only just begun. About a third of employees will retire within the next ten years. “If we do not ensure more attractive working conditions and competitive pay now, we will not be able to compete with the private sector,” warned Silberbach, adding that citizens are already experiencing the noticeable effects of the staff shortage. This could ultimately undermine confidence in the state's performance.

Central demands of the dbb

The dbb not only demands a fair salary increase, but also additional days off and more flexible working hours through the introduction of innovative working time accounts. Volker Geyer, head of collective bargaining policy, emphasized that these accounts should enable employees to self-determine their payments and later use. In practice, this could result in a shortening of weekly working hours or the possibility of sabbaticals.

• Ein Gehaltsvolumen von 8 Prozent, jedoch mindestens 350 Euro monatlich zur Erhöhung der Entgelte.
• Drei zusätzliche freie Tage sowie ein weiterer freier Tag für Gewerkschaftsmitglieder.
• Einrichtung eines Arbeitszeitkontos, das den Beschäftigten flexible Nutzungsmöglichkeiten bietet.
• Eine Erhöhung der Monatsentgelte für Auszubildende um 200 Euro.

In addition, it is very important for the dbb that the collective bargaining results are transferred to the federal civil service sector simultaneously and in accordance with the system. “This is both objectively and ethically necessary,” explained Silberbach. This measure could be a decisive factor for success in these negotiations.

Overview of the negotiations

The upcoming collective bargaining negotiations, which begin on January 24, 2025 in Potsdam, affect over 2.6 million public sector employees. This includes around 1.7 million federal employees and trainees, as well as around 1.5 million employees in municipalities and other areas. The impact of this round of income will be far-reaching, as it could also include nearly 370,000 federal employees and the approximately 600,000 pension recipients. Further information about the current situation can be found at www.presseportal.de.

It remains to be seen how the discussions will go and whether dbb's demands will be heard in these difficult times of staff shortages and financial uncertainties in the public sector. The union has set itself the goal of both increasing the attractiveness of public sector jobs and sustainably improving working conditions. The developments in the coming months will be crucial for the future of the public sector in Germany.