As reported in several articles, our union (GÖD – Gewerkschaft Öffentlicher Dienst) seems to have sneaked something into the reopened collective agreement… And that smells badly.

What’s it about? By law, works counselors and other personnel representatives should not have advantages or disadvantages caused by their function. How do you compensate for an interrupted or stalled career? The GÖD apparently found complicated/creative solutions for that, especially for their higher-ups in their teacher’s branch. These “solutions” go up to 3000€ per month on top of the regular salary. That is while the GÖD “achieved” an increase well below inflation for us!

While the dominant fractions FCG and FSG don’t have any statement in this matter on their websites, our fraction, the UGÖD, published an open letter that speaks from the bottom of our hearts.

In this letter, Hasan Tanyeli writes about wealth tax as an alternative to budget cuts, how bad the new agreement actually is, and how misleading it was communicated. Further, he details how undemocratic the GÖD is and how its heads ignore the problems of the members, without consequences so far.

So what can we do? We can join the union and outvote the useless and corrupt parts of the GÖD. With only about 3% members among the scientific staff, which is roughly 1500 persons, it would be easy enough to tip the scales. So, here is a warm recommendation to join and support the UGÖD.