Hard fronts are emerging in the collective bargaining negotiations between the banks, which will begin next week.
The Verdi union is entering into negotiations with a demand for 4.5 percent more wages and a right of employees to work from home.
Employees should therefore have the right to work mobile for up to 60 percent of their working hours or three days a week, for example from home.
Tim Kanning
Editor in business.
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For branch employees and other employees who require on-site presence, the institutes should develop individual solutions and offer compensation options, said Verdi federal executive Christoph Schmitz on Friday when asked. According to the union, the banks should also pay an initial equipment fee of 1500 euros, from which they can equip their home office with new, ergonomic furniture, for example. Verdi negotiator Jan Duschck said he expected tough negotiations.
The bank employers immediately rejected the salary claims as "unrealistic", and even rejected the call for a home office as "alien to the system". “We should accept a massive encroachment on the employer's legally guaranteed right to direct and finance it. That cannot be done with us, ”said Sabine Schmittroth, who, as Commerzbank board member, leads the negotiations for the employers' association. With regard to the wage claim, she said: "The banks will remain under pressure on the cost and income side for years to come, and we are currently facing more risks and uncertainties than we have for a long time." Strict cost discipline remains the top priority.
After very tough negotiations in the last round of salaries two years ago, this time the unions have to negotiate separately with the public and private banks for the first time, but make similar demands. In total, there are 200,000 employees.