Over 100000 regional government workers join warning strikes

The vida and GPA-djp service unions have negotiated a new collective agreement covering 100000 workers in the private health and social care. The deal includes a 1.35% increase on all pay rates including for apprentices. The agreement also includes specific improvements for childminders, a 5.6% increase on standby rates, harmonisation upwards of allowances for dirty, arduous or dangerous work and other improvements covering childcare institutions and school assistants. The agreement runs from 1 February 2016. [Read more at > vida (DE)->http://www.vida.at/servlet/ContentServer?pagename=S03/Page

Over 70000 workers joined the initial round of warning strikes in support of the negotiations covering federal and municipal workers. The focus was on the North-Rhine Westfalia region but further action is planned around the country, involving a broad range of workers from childcare and water to administration and transport. The services union ver.di is determined to secure a real wage increase for all workers, ensuring that any percentage rise is underpinned by a flat-rate amount to benefit lower paid workers.

The ver.di trade union has begun to consult members over the deal reached on 9 December with regional government employers after a third round of bargaining. The agreement is comparable to that covering federal and municipal workers and includes a tax-free lump sum of €3,000, which will be paid as a one-off amount of €1,800 in December 2023, followed by monthly payments of €120 between January and October 2024. On 1 November 2024, monthly salaries will be increased by €200 and then increased again by 5.5% on 1 February 2025 (with the guarantee of a minimum increase of €340). Ver.di believes