Public Sector Wage Negotiations Deadlocked Amid Calls for Additional Leave
Tariff talks between unions and government representatives for public service employees have hit an impasse, with negotiations continuing amidst a push for increased vacation days.
Negotiations between the German public service unions Verdi and the civil servants' association dbb with federal and municipal representatives have reached a stalemate.
The government last proposed a wage increase of 5.5 percent, but the key contention remains the demand for three additional vacation days.
The recent round of negotiations, which began on March 14, 2025, involves over 2.5 million employees working in various sectors including healthcare, education, public transportation, and waste management.
Most of these employees are governed by the Public Service Collective Agreement (TVöD), which typically also influences conditions for civil servants.
Negotiations for employees in the individual states are conducted separately.
Initially, the unions demanded an increase of eight percent in wages or at least an additional 350 euros per month.
Furthermore, they emphasized the necessity for three extra days off annually.
However, the government considered these demands unsustainable financially.
The latest employer proposal aimed to enhance pay by 5.5 percent along with a larger 13th month’s salary and increased shift allowances, although the duration of any agreement remains undetermined.
In negotiation circles, it was mentioned that the employers proposed a 'time-for-money' model, which would allow employees to convert some of their annual special payment into additional days off.
The key negotiators representing the government included Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the President of the Association of Municipal Employers' Associations (VKA), Karin Welge.
Following the breakdown of talks, independent mediators have been called upon to facilitate a resolution.
The parties have appointed former Hessian Minister President Roland Koch as a 'voting' mediator to help bridge the gap, while the employees’ side will be represented by former Bremen State Secretary for Finance Hans-Henning Lühr.
During mediation, strikes are prohibited, and a peace obligation is in effect, restricting disruptive actions while discussions are ongoing.
Similar mediation processes were employed during previous negotiations for the federal and municipal employees in 2023.
The government last proposed a wage increase of 5.5 percent, but the key contention remains the demand for three additional vacation days.
The recent round of negotiations, which began on March 14, 2025, involves over 2.5 million employees working in various sectors including healthcare, education, public transportation, and waste management.
Most of these employees are governed by the Public Service Collective Agreement (TVöD), which typically also influences conditions for civil servants.
Negotiations for employees in the individual states are conducted separately.
Initially, the unions demanded an increase of eight percent in wages or at least an additional 350 euros per month.
Furthermore, they emphasized the necessity for three extra days off annually.
However, the government considered these demands unsustainable financially.
The latest employer proposal aimed to enhance pay by 5.5 percent along with a larger 13th month’s salary and increased shift allowances, although the duration of any agreement remains undetermined.
In negotiation circles, it was mentioned that the employers proposed a 'time-for-money' model, which would allow employees to convert some of their annual special payment into additional days off.
The key negotiators representing the government included Federal Interior Minister Nancy Faeser and the President of the Association of Municipal Employers' Associations (VKA), Karin Welge.
Following the breakdown of talks, independent mediators have been called upon to facilitate a resolution.
The parties have appointed former Hessian Minister President Roland Koch as a 'voting' mediator to help bridge the gap, while the employees’ side will be represented by former Bremen State Secretary for Finance Hans-Henning Lühr.
During mediation, strikes are prohibited, and a peace obligation is in effect, restricting disruptive actions while discussions are ongoing.
Similar mediation processes were employed during previous negotiations for the federal and municipal employees in 2023.
Translation:
Translated by AI
AI Disclaimer: An advanced artificial intelligence (AI) system generated the content of this page on its own. This innovative technology conducts extensive research from a variety of reliable sources, performs rigorous fact-checking and verification, cleans up and balances biased or manipulated content, and presents a minimal factual summary that is just enough yet essential for you to function as an informed and educated citizen. Please keep in mind, however, that this system is an evolving technology, and as a result, the article may contain accidental inaccuracies or errors. We urge you to help us improve our site by reporting any inaccuracies you find using the "Contact Us" link at the bottom of this page. Your helpful feedback helps us improve our system and deliver more precise content. When you find an article of interest here, please look for the full and extensive coverage of this topic in traditional news sources, as they are written by professional journalists that we try to support, not replace. We appreciate your understanding and assistance.
