The German trade union Verdi is issuing a stark warning against further staff reductions within the Federal Waterways and Shipping Administration (WSV), raising concerns over the stability of critical infrastructure and the potential impact on Germany’s economic competitiveness. Christine Behle, Verdi’s deputy chair, voiced deep reservations in an interview with the Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland, highlighting a situation where existing facilities are already struggling to maintain basic operational and maintenance standards due to persistent staffing shortages.
The union’s opposition follows a plan championed by Digitalization Minister Karsten Wildberger (CDU), which envisions an eight percent reduction in personnel across all federal agencies by 2030. While the government frames this as a necessary step towards modernization and efficiency, Verdi argues that the WSV, responsible for Germany’s vital waterways, warrants a fundamentally different approach.
Behle emphasized the urgent need for investment and expansion of Germany’s waterways, describing them not only as crucial transport routes but also as a strategically important, security-sensitive infrastructure element. She contends that blanket staff cuts will actively undermine these objectives. Instead of downsizing, the union is advocating for a significant increase in personnel to ensure reliable operations and unlock existing investment bottlenecks within the federal waterways system.
Personnel reductions have already been implemented in phases within the WSV, a sprawling federal agency employing approximately 10,000 individuals nationwide. Of these, roughly 9,000 are stationed in external locations responsible for the upkeep and renovation of critical structures like weirs and locks. Verdi’s warning signals a potential clash between governmental austerity measures and the long-term viability of Germany’s essential waterway network and raises questions about the prioritization of bureaucratic streamlining over the maintenance of vital national assets. The union’s assessment suggests that further cuts directly jeopardize Germany’s economic standing and, ultimately, the nation’s security.