German civil service strikes imminent
February 27, 2015
A number of German unions announced on Friday that there will be warning strikes across the country next week after a second bargaining round in a pay dispute ended without agreement.
Among those to strike will be teachers, staff at university clinics, coastguards, road maintenance workers and state administration employees.
The head of the union Verdi, Frank Bsirske, said the strikes, which are to take place on different days in different states, would be a clear signal that the workers expected pay rises.
Among other things, the unions are calling for a rise of 5.5 percent or at least 175 euros ($196.47) per month. They also want guaranteed employment for trainees at the successful completion of their training.
Negotiators for German states have rejected the demands, saying they would result in additional costs of 6.5 billion euros
The next pay negotiations are due to take place on March 16 and 17.
tj/msh (Reuters, dpa, AFP)