Warning strike in Wandsbek: ver.di fights for higher wages in style fracture!

Warning strike in Wandsbek: ver.di fights for higher wages in style fracture!

Today, the industrial action is all about: On July 14, 2025, the United Service Union (ver.di) calls a warning strike at the style breaking company mbH. This takes place in front of the branches in Altona and Wandsbek. The aim of the campaign is better wages, because negotiations for a new collective agreement have been stalling for some time. Verdi reports that around 70 employees earn only 2,550 euros gross per month-that is about 600 euros less than street cleaning for urban cleaning.

ver.di calls for an increase of the fees by 500 euros per month for a period of 12 months. Despite the increase in the public service, which around 2.5 million employees will soon experience, the employer offers an offer that remains below the level of the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD) and similar subsidiaries of city cleaning. The approximately 70 employees of the style fracture company will gather from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. in front of the branch in Wandsbek to stand up for their demands, whereby Babis Ganotis will have their say at 11:00 a.m.

context of the collective bargaining

The current public service collective bargaining is the result of a long struggle for fair wages. Already on May 12, 2025, the BundesTarifommission of ver.di approved the previous tariff result. This provides for salary increases of 3 % from April 1, 2025 and a further 2.8 % from May 1, 2026 (https://www.staatsanzeiger.de/nachrichten/politik-und-verwaltung/tatriftungs-fuer-den--dicker-warnstreiks-weiter/). In view of these developments, it becomes clear that the collective bargaining dispute not only affects the employees of style breakage, but also has far -reaching consequences for the entire public sector. Most recently, more than 150,000 people nationwide participated in warning strikes - a sign of unity and urge for changes.

The background is diverse: ver.di not only requires an increase in the fees, but also higher surcharges for stressful activities, an increase in training allowances by 200 euros and at least three additional days off. These demands aim to improve the conditions of work and income for all those in the public service that work daily for society, be it in daycare centers, at the garbage disposal or in care facilities [https://www.tagesschau.de/wirtschaft/tatrifungs--detzungen-dienst-122.html).

outlook on the negotiations

Tomorrow is the third round of negotiations and expectations are high. It remains to be seen whether both sides are willing to make concessions. Unions and employers are in a sensitive situation: While the union is fighting for a significant improvement in wages and working conditions, employers argue with financial burdens and the need to no longer strain the public funds. In the room there are up to 15 billion euros in additional costs annually if the union claims are fully met.

The coming days could be decisive for the future of employees in the public service, and yet there is hope for a sustainable solution. If there is no agreement, a fourth round of negotiations could be necessary, which could also have warning strikes.