BERLIN: Workers at a university clinic in the western German city of Essen walked off the job, the first act in a series of public sector labour stoppages that are set to spread across the country this week due to a labour dispute.
About 200 workers were expected to walk off the job in Essen, reported a strike organizer. However, labour union ver.di said it would ensure that enough workers remained available for medical emergencies.
The strikes are expected to spread Tuesday when about 200,000 teachers across the country are due to go on strike. It is not clear what impact the labour stoppage will have, since the 650,000 teachers nationwide who have civil servant status are not allowed to strike.
The workers are striking for 5.5 per cent more in wages, job security and employment guarantees for trainee workers. Other differences in the negotiations focus on pensions and the pay scale for teachers.
Ver.di chief Frank Bsirske told the newspaper Nordwest-Zeitung that the demands for pay were justified because tax receipts are up in German municipalities.
Anyone who expects good work from qualified workers has to pay them properly,” he said.
Additional strikes could affect coast guard workers, street repair crews and state administrative offices.
