Germany edition

Unions call more public sector staff to strike

Published: 6 Mar 12 17:28 CET
Online: http://www.thelocal.de/national/20120306-41175.html

Over 7,000 public service workers took part in a second day of strikes in Germany on Tuesday. The sector is embroiled in a fight for higher wages.

What's on in Germany: May 17 - 23 (18 May 12)
The Local's English-language movie listings for Germany (16 May 12)
Holiday weather offers little to celebrate (16 May 12)

While Monday saw workers in western states of the country walk off the job, Tuesday was the turn of workers in northern states Hamburg, Mecklenburg Western-Pomerania, and Schleswig Holstein to push for a pay increase.

Public service union Verdi has been systematically mobilising employees in the sector to strike – the most disruptive of which so far were the repeated walkouts at Frankfurt airport.

On Wednesday, Verdi will summon workers in North Rhine-Westphalia to strike.

Verdi, Germany’s biggest public service union, is calling for a 6.5 percent pay rise for the two million people employed in the sector - or at least a raise of €200 per year.

Union head Frank Bsirske believes that the rate of pay in the public service sector does not match that of the private sector, and that the gap is widening. He called the difference “fatal for businesses and the attractiveness of a job in public service.”

In Hamburg alone, 2,000 people took part in strikes, particularly those in the council cleaning services and childcare.

Smaller strikes took place in Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as Baden-Württemberg.

“We plan on bringing public transport to a halt in Hannover on Thursday,” said Bsirske.

Over 10,000 people have been protesting across Germany since Monday, a number set to increase through the week if the rest of planned warning strikes go ahead.

DAPD/The Local/jcw

What do you think? Leave your comment below.


Fark It!	Digg This	Share everywhere
Send to a friend	Printable version	Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

21:02 March 6, 2012 by Dizz

If they are also willing to accept the lack of privileges, subsidies and security not to mention performance standards and personal accountability that differentiates them from the private sector then I say give them the pay rise.

Report abuse »

22:27 March 6, 2012 by derExDeutsche

'Wir sind es Wert' How about we put it to a vote and let the German people decide.

These are the same goons we have here... in fact the man in this video Richard Trumka is the most frequent visitor to Obam's White House.

http://dailycaller.com/2012/03/04/union-boss-denies-paying-protesters-paid-protesters-disagree-video/#ooid=FqYWhuMzr7GENsOvoOSsYstMRIiaTtev

Report abuse »

22:44 March 6, 2012 by Karl_Berlin

Just because everyone else is getting rogered doesn't mean they should have to.

Report abuse »

05:58 March 7, 2012 by melbournite

Exactly. Unions only exist to help defend working people from being screwed by governments and bosses. It takes courage to strike. I'm 100% in support of them.

Report abuse »

10:00 March 7, 2012 by Joshontour

What dizz and derEx seem to not understand is that these are public service employees and not government workers. Big difference. Public service employees work in Financial services, utilities and disposal, health, social services, welfare and churches, social insurance, education, science and research, arts and culture, printing and paper, industrial services and production, telecommunications, information technology, data processing, Postal services, forwarding companies and logistics, transportation, commerce, etc... I'm sure you want the people responsible for the weight and balance of the airplane on your next trip making minimum wage though,,, right?

Report abuse »

10:27 March 7, 2012 by derExDeutsche

@Joshontour

http://youtu.be/B0PlElVWshk

Report abuse »

13:15 March 7, 2012 by William Thirteen

Striking is a time honored tradition!

http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Streik_bei_der_Berliner_Verkehrsgesellschaft_1932

Report abuse »

14:33 March 7, 2012 by Joshontour

@ derExDeutsche... Do you really think that people who work in the public service sector don't deserve a raise. Public service... i.e.Tertiary sector.... i.e. People who sell their services to the public and not some end product... what don't you understand about that?

Report abuse »

15:00 March 7, 2012 by derExDeutsche

@ Joshontour

Do you really believe that all that is going on in the Unions today is a demand for a 'Raise'? aww. ;.( ::sniff:: ? Well, If you didn't check the youtube link, there it is, what I propose is really going on. Just like in Greece, there is NOTHING Today's Unions respect other than their own power. They don't really care about what rights, liberties and/or sovereignty is lost. They don't care if the whole system collapses, in fact I make the argument that is exactly what they want. Cloward and Piven. what DO YOU not understand about that?

Report abuse »

#10

18:54 March 7, 2012 by Englishted

Nothing to lose but their chains .

Report abuse »

#11

12:31 March 8, 2012 by Joshontour

derExDeutsche... You made the argument in your first post that these are government workers, and they're not. You can split hairs and say you didn't but why else should we put it up for a vote. Maybe we should put it up for a vote when you want a raise too. Unions in the US such as SEIU have NOTHING to do with unions in Germany, we have a completely different labor system. You'd have to be an idiot to think otherwise (oh.. wait)

Report abuse »

#12

18:18 March 8, 2012 by yellowsack

Why should i not strike i live on less money than people on social security i have to pay for my rent gas ect .And i work bloody hard for it in all weathers i take home 1200 euros less than my mate that is in a nice warm factory and work 5 hours a week more than him and i would be interested to know about all these bonuses and perks ect what so many people have been talking about recently

Report abuse »

Today's headlines

Schweini apologises to president for snub

Bayern Munich midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger has apologised to German President Joachim Gauck for failing to shake his hand after his penalty miss meant that Bayern lost Saturday's Champions League final to Chelsea. READ »

Hertha appeal against relegation ruling

Hertha Berlin are to appeal the German Football Association's (DFB) decision to uphold the result of the controversial match that left them relegated to the second division. READ »

16/05 Football hooligans ruin Düsseldorf's victory »

Germans open monster telescope on Tenerife

A powerful solar telescope billed as the largest in Europe opened Monday on Spain's Canary Islands which scientists say will allow them to study the sun in unprecedented detail. Its main backer was a German institute. READ »

Leipzig sets up rapid-reaction library force

It took three years of careful planning, but German librarians have – very neatly – signed a pact to race to each other’s aid in the event of a book-related disaster. READ »

Have Your Say

Can euro rescue absolve Holocaust guilt?

Former central banker Thilo Sarrazin has provoked outrage by arguing that Germany's euro policy is driven by a Holocaust guilt trip. He also said the single currency was always a bad idea. Does he have a point? Have your say. READ (19 COMMENTS) »

21/05 Ex-banker: German euro rescue is Holocaust guilt »

Bruno 'The Orca' takes on mammoth swim

Weighing 110 kilograms, Bruno “the Orca” Dobelmann may not look like an athlete, but on Monday he set off to swim across Lake Constance in just a pair of trunks. If he succeeds, the German will set a new world record. READ »

Ex-banker: German euro rescue is Holocaust guilt

Ex-central banker turned controversy merchant Thilo Sarrazin has attracted fresh outrage with a book claiming Germany's European policy is driven by guilt for World War II and the Holocaust. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

German doctor dies on Everest clean-up

A German man died on Mount Everest where he was helping clear the world's highest peak of rubbish, Nepalese tourism officials announced. His death brings the season's toll to five. READ (4 COMMENTS) »

More National

Today's most read Today's most commented

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Suck-outs and failed bluffs

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Ten great reasons to travel this summer

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Moving made easy: Top tips for your international move

SPONSORED ARTICLE

Become a Scottish landowner - and a Laird, Lord or Lady in the process.

SPONSORED ARTICLE

The ten best railway stations in Europe

FACEBOOK »

The Local on Facebook

TWITTER »

The Local on Twitter

See all ads | Join the Marketplace

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog

May/14 Plan a perfect three day break to Berlin
May/14 More flights rescheduled to Schönefeld after new airport delays
Feb/07 Do you like home-made Rock’n Roll with your fries?
Nov/25 Hop on hop off Berlin
Nov/25 Shopping in Berlin

Essentials

Dating
Looking for your own blonde bombshell? Or is the strong, silent type more your style? Find a German sweetheart here.

Weather
"After clouds comes clear weather," say the Germans. But what about after that? Find out in The Local's weather section.

Blog
German stuff that's distracting us today.

Noticeboard
Whether you want to buy, sell, hire, announce or promote something, here's the place to do it - completely free of charge.

Discuss
Debate the news, ask for advice, make friends - or just let off steam.

News from the Goethe-Institut

Unheard Stories: Buchkinder
Buchkinder Leipzig (i.e.
Home Again: “re-turn” (05/21/2012)
On 17 May, the Akademie der Bildenden Künste (AdBK) – Nuremberg’s academy of fine arts – launched a special exhibition in celebration of its 350th anniversary....
“Moorland soldiers” – Esterwegen Memorial Site
The Esterwegen Memorial Site, an information and documentation centre on the concentration camps in the Emsland region of Germany, was inaugurated at the end of October 2011....
“Die Zeit” – Success and Quality
Ever since 1946, in-depth articles, refined language and diverse cultural reporting have been the hallmarks of Germany’s liberal weekly newspaper “Die Zeit”.
More On the Way? – Award-winning German Cinema 2011/ 2012
Quite a few of the latest German films, such as Barbara or Halt auf freier Strecke, have already won prizes.

News from Young Germany

Weimar has the best international university in Germany
The Bauhaus University in Weimar, Thuringia, describes itself as being eager to experiment, open...
New law clears way for recognition of degrees and training earned abroad
The Upper House of the German Parliament, the Bundesrat, has approved groundbreaking legislation...
Deutsche Literatur im Netz
Wer sich im Ausland für deutsche Literatur interessierte, hatte es früher nicht immer leicht, an...
German research vessel begins Antarctic expedition
The Polarstern—a German research vessel operated by the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and...
Science - a powerhouse of ideas
Scientific insights that can change our world are at the centre of a special scientific conference...

News from DeutschlandOnline

Germany transporting its exports to other EU countries by road
In 2011, 57% of all exports (in terms of quantity) to other Member States of the European Union...
Day of the Midwife in Germany today
10,500 midwives and man midwives, including 8,500 permanently employed midwives, assisted at births...
Less than three million out of work in Germany
In March 2012, a total of 41.2 million persons were in employment whose place of residence was in...
Labour productivity in Germany up 22.7% since 1991
Labour productivity per person in employment in Germany rose 22.7% between 1991 and 2011.

Jobs available: 10340

Show all jobs in Germany

Noticeboard

21/05 EURO 2012 APPARTMENT TO RENT CENTRE WARSAW
21/05 FESTIVAL OF PRAISE 2012
20/05 Baby boy items (Wiesbaden)
20/05 Tennessee Acoustic Guitar
19/05 Private German lessons - flexible arrangements and low fare
18/05 Moving to USA

SHOW ALL NOTICES »

Toytown Germany

Germany's English-speaking crowd

Toytown Germany

10:13 Is looking at incest-themed porn creepy?
10:11 How low will the Euro go?
10:08 Pfingsten 3-Day Bike Tour - 1 place left
09:58 Where in Hamburg is this?
09:58 UK Limited (Ltd.) company – German Tax situation
09:57 Relocation to Frankfurt kids 16+ and 15+
09:46 Giving birth in Berlin
09:46 Relegation match Hertha against Düsseldorf
09:44 Landlord included a repair clause in contract
09:38 Question about super & SuperE10 petrol

FULL INDEX »

Little house in Spain
'Charming, old, beamed cottage for holiday let in Jesus Pobre, Alicante, Spain
www.littlehouseinspain.com/

ERICON Broker GmbH
Spectrum Int. aLC Master Agent for int. Private Health Ins. also offering all kinds of NATO/ BFG Insurances, Tel.: 0049 (0)2451 910 94 50, Email: info@ericon-broker.com
www.ericon-broker.com

Frustrated by your US Expat Taxes? Greenback can help!
Whether you need to file for multiple years, have a complicated tax situation, or just need to stay compliant, Greenback Expat Tax Services can help. We offer flat fees ($349 for a federal return) and you work directly with one of our 6 CPAs or EAs
www.greenbacktaxservices.com

Hotel reservations in Berlin
Visiting Berlin anytime soon? Book your hotel in Berlin here.

Rental apartments in Berlin
For home-from-home holiday accommodation, search for a Berlin apartment to rent.

Trade CFDs with InterTrader.com
Start trading shares, equities, forex, etc. No commission on equities; Low min. margins. Apply for a CFDs account now!