The collective bargaining with the union has broken down, but the employees of the culture and further education company (Kuwait) get more money. That has now been decided by the district council. Kuwait includes the multi-generation house in Görlitz Weinhübel, the Dreiländereck district music school with locations in Zittau, Löbau, Ebersbach, Niesky and Weißwasser, the Dreiländereck adult education center and the youth career start project in Görlitz.
For teachers at the district music school, salaries are to rise by three percent from January 2021, and by 1.5 percent from 2022 and the following years. For the other employees, wages will rise by one percent from July next year, and by 1.5 percent from 2022 and the following years.
Union broke off negotiations
First of all, according to finance officer Thomas Gampe, there were negotiations with the union. But, he says, from the union’s point of view, they only related to the music school. However, the district wanted an agreement for all employees. The union broke off negotiations, says Thomas Gampe.
“Although the employees are not paid according to the tariff, they are close,” said the financial officer. The employees do a good job and have earned the wage increases, he says.
Kuwait was founded in 2004. She took over the tasks of the then cultural administration of the Löbau-Zittau district. In 2009, Kuwait then took over, among other things, district music school, adult education center, district media office. This anticipation of the territorial reform has proven to be correct and future-oriented, according to the submission for the district councils.
Minor salary increases since it was founded
Society is currently facing a major shortage of skilled workers. One reason: part-time workers leaving. Since the company was founded, there have been no or only minor increases in salaries. If so, they were regulated in individual contracts. The increase that has now been decided for all employees is intended to counteract “tensions and fluctuation due to the tariff gap in the area of educational specialists”.
A corresponding agreement has been concluded with the works council. It is now possible to remunerate comparable activities in a comparable way and thus possibly to keep workers.
However: Despite the improved income in all areas of society and subsidies from the Free State, increasing expenditure cannot be absorbed. In addition to the wage payments, the increasing maintenance and repair needs of the property, costs and legal requirements for data, occupational and health protection are responsible for this.
Grants are initially unlimited
It was previously agreed that the district would increase the subsidy to Kuwait by 50,000 euros annually. Now a business model has been developed that is intended to secure the operation of Kuwait. In 2020, the company will receive a total of 2.3 million euros. 100,000 euros come from the district’s own holding company. According to the new grant agreement, Kuwait will receive 2.425 million euros in the coming year. The total will increase to 2.725 million euros by 2025. The holding company is still involved with 100,000 euros each year.
This grant agreement is initially open-ended. The financing for 2026 should not be agreed until 2025. The district hopes that this will secure and strengthen society. The district council approved the resolution with two abstentions.
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