With a blitzblank swept Augustusbrücke, building cleaners and window cleaners protested on Monday what they saw as low wages in their industry. The goal of their protest action: An inflation compensation premium this year and from 2024 an annual bonus. This is intended to top up the hourly wage between 1 p.m. and 4.20 p.m.
Concrete sums for possible premium claims were not mentioned, the first thing is to get the employers to the negotiating table at all, says Stella Prott, industry secretary for the building cleaning trade at the IG BAU trade union in Dresden: “We are here today because we urge employers to join us at the negotiating table.” Specifically, she means the companies in the Saxon building cleaning trade and the Federal Guild Association.
timid Protest for some more money
The protest is tentative. The participants in the campaign observe the interest of the local media with reservations and a little skepticism. Around 30 people have gathered to represent the entire industry. Most are not used to clamoring for demands, being photographed by press photographers and filmed by camerawomen. Instead, they usually do their job diligently and conscientiously without wasting much words.
Interview requests are initially shyly rejected with a hand movement or a shake of the head. She’s not the great speaker, says one of the protesters apologetically. Another woman in a safety vest laughs sheepishly. The trade unionist’s chant “Employers to the negotiating table” is supported only hesitantly and in a low voice. Asking for more money takes effort. And yet they came. Because even during the pandemic, the industry was left empty-handed, Stella Prott recalled in her speech. And actually, a little more money is now necessary, those present agree, as can be heard from discussions.
One person who has no problem speaking his mind is 62-year-old Frank Steinberger. The glass and building cleaner is annoyed that, unlike in other sectors, there has not been an inflation compensation premium for him or his colleagues. He came to Augustusbrücke to draw the attention of politicians and the public to this fact: “We don’t want politicians to forget us. After all, it wouldn’t work without the glass and building cleaners.”
We want politicians not to forget us. It doesn’t work without the glass and building cleaners.
Especially now, in the holiday season, when others go on vacation, there is a lot to do in many buildings because of the thorough cleaning. Steinberger likes his job. He oversees a building with 2,400 square meters of indoor space and around 800 square meters of outdoor space: “The work is varied: gardening, room and toilet cleaning, kitchen cleaning – there’s always something to do.” However, he is not satisfied with what is left financially at the end of the month.
cleaners stronger unionized organized
With the IG BAU trade union, Stella Prott campaigns for cleaning staff who do not receive a fixed amount at the end of the month, but are instead paid according to a collectively agreed hourly rate. “We’re seeing membership growth in the industry right now,” Prott observed. About 50 percent are now unionized.
Cleaners who are paid according to the collective agreement receive 13 euros per hour as unskilled workers and if they are trained or work in glass cleaning, they currently receive 16.20 euros per hour, according to Prott. Many would have great difficulty in meeting their daily needs. Inflation and higher prices would hit massively.
Inflation compensation premium – tax-free up to 3,000 euros
The inflation compensation premium has been available as an additional possible relief since October. Although the federal government initiated them, they should be paid for by the companies. With the new regulation, employers can grant their employees a tax- and royalty-free amount of up to 3,000 euros – but this is a voluntary benefit.
2023-07-17 18:46:31
#Cleaning #workers #protest #money #Dresdens #Augustus #Bridge #MDR.DE
