Frank Werneke, chairman of the service union Verdi, has demanded that Bärbel Bas, a co-chair of the SPD and a labor minister, increase her commitment to workers’ rights. Speaking to the “Handelsblatt”, Werneke said that the unions have high expectations for her, particularly in light of the upcoming May Day demonstrations.
He emphasized the urgency of these demands, stating that this commitment must be shown even if the scheduled labor day conference (Arbeitgebertag) of the BDA does not proceed harmoniously. Werneke referenced a previous BDA day (2025) where Bas was ridiculed and subsequently told the Jusos that the incident demonstrated “who we actually have to fight together”.
In a separate warning, the Verdi chief cautioned Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz against allowing German society to become further divided. Werneke stressed that Merz must not lose sight of the hard-working individuals whose dedication keeps the country running. Given the current economic climate and repeated crises, he concluded that societal division cannot be allowed to progress in Germany.