Overview
- At the dbb annual meeting in Cologne, chair Volker Geyer warned warning strikes will be significantly expanded if no negotiable offer emerges at the Jan. 15–16 talks in Potsdam.
- dbb and Ver.di are seeking a 7% raise or at least €300 per month, saying better pay is essential to recruit and retain staff.
- The Länder employers’ association (TdL) has rejected the claims as unaffordable, with lead negotiator Andreas Dressel calling them "astronomical."
- Following the suspected sabotage of Berlin’s power grid, Interior Minister Alexander Dobrindt pledged tougher critical‑infrastructure standards and more resources for security services.
- Union leaders highlight deep personnel pressures, citing roughly 600,000 vacancies now and more than 1.4 million expected retirements over the next decade.