Ver.di Chief Draws Red Lines for Government's Reform Plans

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz intends to enact substantial reforms to the nation's social welfare system, with key measures slated for presentation before the upcoming summer recess. However, the head of the influential Ver.di service workers' union, Frank Werneke, has already established firm boundaries for these proposed changes.

Werneke declared unequivocally to the "Handelsblatt" newspaper, "For us, there are red lines, very clearly." He specified that any limitations on the right to strike or on protection against dismissal would be considered absolute "no-gos." Similarly, he stated that increasing the retirement age, reducing pension levels, or extending maximum daily working hours solely through employer directives are unacceptable.

The union and employer representatives are scheduled to meet with the Chancellor on June 10. Werneke expressed willingness to negotiate but warned of strong opposition should the union's red lines be crossed. "If the term 'reform' is merely a code word for social cutbacks, then there will be protests against it," Werneke announced, indicating that the scale of potential actions would depend on the overall package, including regulations on working hours, pensions, care, dismissal protection, and the healthcare system.

Werneke specifically addressed concerns about raising the retirement age, calling it a "pension cut through the back door" given the already low pension levels. He refuted the argument that people are living longer and thus must work longer, citing stagnant life expectancy increases, partly due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also noted that low-income earners have demonstrably shorter, and even declining, life expectancies, making extended working lives particularly burdensome for them.