Yasmin Fahimi, the chairwoman of the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB), welcomed the government’s announcement that it plans to negotiate further reform measures with social partners. Speaking to the Funke media group, the DGB chief stated, “We are always ready for talks” adding that they are now awaiting a concrete invitation accompanied by a defined agenda. The union and the SPD intend to negotiate with employers to agree on a comprehensive reform package before the summer recess. This package would cover areas such as tax policy, the labor market, pensions, and the reduction of bureaucracy. These aims were established by the leading representatives of the governing parties during the coalition committee meetings late Tuesday.