EPSU German affiliate Ver.di get strong show of support for ongoing strike action

(30 March) Ver.di General Secretary Frank Bsirske yesterday addressed more than 12.000 demonstrators in Hannover, the capital of Lower Saxony. The strikers came mainly from university clinics. The Ver.di leader singled out the employers' leader in his speech to the striking workers.

The Finance Minister of Lower Saxony is the leader of the employers' delegation of the 'Länder', Mr. Möllring. Möllring has shown himself so far as champion of intransigence: negotiation - no! listen to arguments - no! Unilaterally dictate an increase in working time - yes! Instead of 38,5 hours / week public service workers are to work 40, 41 or even 42 hours / week. But longer working hours also mean a reduction in pay, particularly for part-time workers. It is also a recipe to cut jobs.

The strike is now in its 8th week. Frank Bsirkse stressed yesterday the significance of starting negotiations in the Saarland. This in his view could provide a important momentum for the negotiations overall. EPSU General Secretary Carola Fischbach-Pyttel had sent a solidarity message to the strikers in Hannover. The overall message from the day in Hannover was that progress can only be made through open and equitable negotiations. For more info www.verdi.de