In the face of recent tariff negotiations in the public sector, trade unions are demanding more vacation days not only for employees in the public sector but also for those in other industries. “There is an acute overburdening situation in many parts of the public sector” said Verdi’s deputy chair, Christine Behle, to the Bild (Thursday edition). The three additional free days demanded in the tariff negotiations are therefore necessary.
“Hundreds of thousands of positions are unoccupied or will be in the next years because the baby boomers are retiring. Moreover, there are more tasks for the employees, many of whom are permanently overburdened” said the Verdi vice-chair. “The additional three free days are meant to create a balance for that.”
Annett Lindner, a board member of the Education and Science Trade Union (GEW), said to the newspaper that the GEW supports the demands for more vacation days “so that the acute shortage of skilled workers in the public sector, especially in the western federal states, can be remedied.” The public sector must be an attractive employer.
The Industrial Trade Union of Building, Agriculture and the Environment (IG BAU) also stands behind the demand for more vacation days for employees. “Additional free days, seen as vacation, we also consider a suitable instrument to counter the increasing overburden in the forestry industry” said an IG-BAU spokesperson to the Bild.
A spokesperson for the IG Metall referred to existing models in the metal and electrical industry. Since 2019, there has been a “tariff-free time off” in this sector, where overburdened employees can receive additional free days. “Those who work in shifts, care for children, or care for relatives can receive up to eight additional free days a year” the trade union reported.