German Public Sector Wage Negotiations Turn to Mediation
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Germany's public sector employers and services workers have called on a former state premier to mediate after three rounds of collective wage bargaining failed, with strikes hitting air travel and other sectors.
Trade union Verdi as well as representatives of federal and regional state employers said late on Monday that a deal remains elusive despite intensive talks, and that Roland Koch, a former premier of the regional state of Hesse, would step in as mediator.
Verdi is demanding an 8% wage increase, or at least an increase of 350 euros ($380) per month, as well as higher bonuses and additional time off.
(Reporting by Alexander Ratz; Writing by Ludwig Burger; Editing by Friederike Heine)
