Interview with Julia Dück, ver.di trade union secretary
Why do university employees not receive the capital city allowance and what effects does this have?
The capital city allowance was introduced by the state of Berlin in November 2020 as a unilateral allowance paid by the employer. Since then, some employees in Berlin – mainly public employees in the district councils or Senate administration – have received a capital city allowance of €150 per month. This allowance is not paid at universities. These wage differences are not only unfair, they also exacerbate the already prevailing staff shortages at universities. Vacancies cannot be filled because salaries are higher in other areas. In other words, the state of Berlin has made jobs in the Berlin administration more financially attractive – at the expense of the universities.
What was achieved in the wage negotiations?
In the collective bargaining of the federal states (TV-L), it was possible to ensure that the capital city allowance is collectively agreed. In concrete terms, this means that the state of Berlin no longer decides alone whether and for whom the capital city allowance is paid. Instead, trade unions and employers must reach an agreement. For us as ver.di, this means that we want to achieve a legally secure and non-discriminatory regulation. In other words: the capital city allowance for everyone – including at universities!
How can the staff council as well as the trade union campaign for the capital city allowance to be paid to everyone?
As recently as December, the Senate Department for Labour and Social Affairs – with assurances from the Senate for Finance – promised the capital city allowance to independent providers, such as employees in the day-care centres of the welfare associations. In the meantime, the Senate Department for Finance has backtracked and no longer has any intention of honouring its promise. In a joint statement by the Senate Departments for Finance, Social Affairs/Labour and Education on the capital city allowance, they have now declared that further action by the Senate will depend on the results of negotiations between the trade unions and the Collective Bargaining Association of the Federal States. The state of Berlin is therefore trying to shift its responsibility.
For us as trade union activists, this means that we expect the Berlin Senate to make a clear commitment to the capital city allowance for all and to act accordingly in further negotiations. We will not allow ourselves to be divided. Whether for independent providers or at universities – we want the capital city allowance for everyone. To achieve this, we must exert pressure in the coming weeks and months. It is crucial that employees in the affected areas are well informed. That is of course an important task for the staff council.
Information on the new election of the Dahlem staff council
The elections will take place from April 23rd. until May 10, 2024.