Public Servants in States Reinforce Wage Demand at Rally

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2025 December 19 . 2:14 PM

1 min read

In this image there are people protesting on a road holding posters in their hands, in the... — In this image there are people protesting on a road holding posters in their hands, in the background there are buildings, trees, light poles and the sky.

Public Servants in States Reinforce Wage Demand at Rally - Public Servants in States Reinforce Wage Demand at Rally

Public sector workers in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania have taken to the streets to demand higher wages. Around 120 employees gathered in Schwerin as part of ongoing negotiations affecting 34,600 staff in the region. Their call for a seven percent pay rise reflects broader frustration across Germany’s civil service.

Unions are pushing for a seven percent increase—or at least an extra €300 per month—for state-level public sector employees. They argue that current salaries fail to keep up with rising living costs and leave many positions unfilled. Employers, however, have been accused of refusing to engage meaningfully in talks.

Finance Minister Heiko Geue (SPD) admitted that inflation is squeezing households but insisted a seven percent hike is beyond the state’s budget. The dispute also highlights persistent wage gaps between federal, state, and municipal workers, which unions want eliminated. Nationwide, about 1.3 million civil servants are watching the negotiations closely. If no agreement is reached, warning strikes could follow, disrupting public services.

The standoff continues as unions and employers remain far apart on pay demands. With 34,600 employees in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania directly affected, the outcome will shape working conditions across the region. Further strikes may occur if talks fail to progress.