Germany's first public sector strike in 14 years is barely a week old but, as the uncollected rubbish piles up, Gerhard Widder, mayor of Mannheim, is already warning of rat-infested mountains of burning rubbish in the streets. "Rubbish is a hazard. Once it gets warmer, it could catch fire. It can even explode," he warns. Exploding bins have yetto be reported, but the dispute is shaping up as Germany's toughest industrial action for decades. It is about more than just working hours, the union's stated target. At stake is the credibility of the labour movement. "The unions are fighting against their own decline. Their margin of movement is decreasing," says Klaus Zimmermann, head of the Berlin DIW economic institute. "It will be a tough battle." Ostensibly, Verdi, the service sector union behind the stoppages, opposes a move by public sector employers to raise the working week from 38.5 to 40 hours. Verdi wants Germany's 16 states to sign the framework deal on wages and working time it struck last year with the federal government and local authorities. It also seeks to reverse a decision by local authorities in three states to opt out of the deal and increase working hours for their employees.
"Rubbish is a hazard. Once it gets warmer, it could catch fire. It can even explode," he warns.
Exploding bins have yetto be reported, but the dispute is shaping up as Germany's toughest industrial action for decades. It is about more than just working hours, the union's stated target. At stake is the credibility of the labour movement.
"The unions are fighting against their own decline. Their margin of movement is decreasing," says Klaus Zimmermann, head of the Berlin DIW economic institute. "It will be a tough battle."
Ostensibly, Verdi, the service sector union behind the stoppages, opposes a move by public sector employers to raise the working week from 38.5 to 40 hours.
Verdi wants Germany's 16 states to sign the framework deal on wages and working time it struck last year with the federal government and local authorities.
It also seeks to reverse a decision by local authorities in three states to opt out of the deal and increase working hours for their employees.
It's in the title: Ailing rearguard.
It's in the body: Exploding rubbish.
When will you people at last catch on?
I am also noting that the wording flagged a couple of days ago is spreading:
Fresh dispute threatens deal on services (FT) Last week senior MEPs from the centre-right European People's party and the Socialists agreed to water down plans to liberalise the European services market in an attempt to end two years of fighting over the proposal. (...) The disagreement highlights the deep division between protectionist and liberal lawmakers, as well as broader tensions between the European Union's old and new member states.
Last week senior MEPs from the centre-right European People's party and the Socialists agreed to water down plans to liberalise the European services market in an attempt to end two years of fighting over the proposal.
(...)
The disagreement highlights the deep division between protectionist and liberal lawmakers, as well as broader tensions between the European Union's old and new member states.
liberal = good, but sadly being "diluted" by the opposition, which is no longer social, or socialist, but "protectionist". Where's the Protectionist (Bogeyman) Party.
JEROME NOTCH TECHNOLOGY. In the long run, we're all dead. John Maynard Keynes
"Exploding rubbish" I found new and refreshing.
