Dear readers!

A (once again) difficult year is coming to an end, and particularly in German-speaking countries, the problems that manifested themselves during the year have culminated in difficult, often inadequately conducted collective bargaining negotiations over the last few weeks and months - from the metal workers to the railways to a well-known problem child: the trade. When looking at the hardened fronts, people who were not involved often had the feeling that replacing the staff with people who were fundamentally willing to respect each other would perhaps be the simplest solution. But as we know, doing without is not the order of the day ...

The current collective wage agreement in the German printing industry will be terminated on February 29, 2024. The peace obligation applies until the end of March, and negotiations are expected to start in March. The rhetorical saber rattling has already started three months earlier - both parties made demands to each other through the media in their usual inappropriate tone. Does it have to be that way? The usual positions have been taken: Right now it's a bad fit, some say; Right now, the previous injustices must finally be resolved, say the others. Didn't that sound completely different at the end of the last collective bargaining negotiations?

The fact that the first press release explicitly states when work stoppages are possible indicates tough negotiations. The economic conditions play their part as well. Some people rightly want significantly more money, the others don't really know where they can get it to that extent. Oh objectivity, you noble goal!

Have a great read & stay safe! I wish you a contemplative time and a great Holiday season! Slide over well!

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