Strike Action Scheduled for Tuesday: City Hall, Clinics, Swimming Pools, and Savings Banks in Dusseldorf Are Targeted
In a significant development, the United Services Trade Union (ver.di) has announced plans for a strike on Tuesday, February 25, affecting various cities across Germany, including Düsseldorf, Ratingen, Hilden, Erkrath, Haan, and Monheim. The strike will impact city administrations, employment agencies, job centers, pension insurance, accident insurance, LVR clinics, Sana clinics, Düsseldorf city and district savings bank, and swimming pools, excluding Bad Schwimm' in Bilk.
The strike is part of the third round of wage negotiations, scheduled for March 14-16, 2025, in Potsdam. ver.di is demanding an eight percent wage increase and at least 350 euros more per month in wages, citing high inflation as a significant factor.
In addition to wage increases, ver.di is advocating for a stronger increase in the lower wage groups and a "My Time Account" to provide more time sovereignty and flexibility. The union is also pushing for higher allowances for particularly stressful activities and three additional free days to counteract high workload.
ver.di believes that these measures are necessary to address the labor and skills shortage in the public sector, where hundreds of thousands of unfilled positions exist in various professions, including educators, care workers, social workers, bus drivers, and skilled workers.
The union argues that attractive working conditions are essential to make the public sector more appealing and counter the ongoing labor and skills shortage. ver.di leads the wage negotiations not only for themselves but also for GdP, GEW, IG BAU, and with dbb beamtenbund and tarifunion.
While emergency services are ensured for the clinics, strike-related restrictions will be in place for municipal services and at savings banks. Many municipal kindergartens may also be closed due to the strikes.
ver.di's demands also include increased training allowances and internship remuneration by 200 euros per month. The union states that employers' refusal to make an offer shows a lack of respect and appreciation for employees.
In response to these developments, the employers are urged to engage in constructive dialogue and address the concerns raised by ver.di to ensure a fair and equitable resolution for all parties involved.
