The Great Salary Showdown: Hesse‘s Bold Move!
As of: November 16, 2024, 4:46 a.m.
By: Lars-Eric Nievelstein
Well, well, well, look who decided to stir the pot! Hesse has officially put a pause on big salary increases for its civil servants, and you can bet the unions are not applauding. It’s like pulling the rug out from under a very uncomfortable yoga session—everyone’s tangled up and no one’s happy!
What’s Happening in Hesse?
Our friends over in Hesse seem to have missed the memo that December 9, 2023, was the date for public sector salary shake-ups across the federal states. Instead of joining the salary party, Hesse is standing at the door, arms crossed, snubbing the chance for a pay increase. Oh, the audacity!
How Are Other States Reacting?
Baden-Württemberg and Bayern are already cashing in on salary boosts, with a tidy 5.5% hike set for February 2025 and a generous bonus of 200 euros just to sweeten the deal. Talk about rubbing salt in the wound for our chums in Hesse! Meanwhile, Berlin isn’t holding back either. They have announced a raise with all the enthusiasm of a kid sneaking extra candy from the jar.
Brandenburg Takes the Lead
Meanwhile, in Brandenburg, they have knocked everyone’s socks off with salary adjustments that took effect as early as January, effectively saying, “No time to waste!” If Hesse is the tortoise in this salary race, Brandenburg is the hare sipping espressos while counting their cash!
Meanwhile, in the Land of Individual Plans
Bremen is trotting along at a respectable pace, announcing its plans for a 3.65% salary bump in February. They’re keen on bringing in and retaining those ever-important teachers, as they do have that whole competition factor to worry about from neighboring states. Nothing gets a state moving quite like a good old salary rivalry, eh?
Other States Join the Bandwagon
Saarland: The Slowpoke of the Pack
Then we have the Saarland, where salary adjustments are caught up in legislative limbo. It’s like waiting for a train that never arrives—will they, won’t they? The suspense is killing us! Meanwhile, Saxony and Schleswig-Holstein are set to increase salaries as well, proving that punctuality is next to godliness in this showdown.
In Conclusion
So there you have it! While Hesse champions the art of delay, other states seem to have their ducks in a row, ready for some well-deserved financial appreciation. Perhaps it’s time for Hesse to peek next door and take a leaf out of their book. Otherwise, it might just find itself in a salary stalemate, left behind and, dare I say, a bit lonely!
Remember, folks: Life is too short for delayed raises. Here’s hoping Hesse finds its way back to the salary fiesta soon—because what could be better than public servants who can afford to enjoy life a little more? Cheers to that!
PressSplit
Hesse’s decision to delay a significant salary increase for civil servants has sparked frustration among various unions. How do other federal states respond to this situation? We sought answers.
Berlin – In a recent announcement, the federal state of Hesse revealed it would postpone the anticipated salary increase for civil servants, provoking strong reactions from labor unions. This action relates to a pivotal collective bargaining agreement for public sector employees arranged for December 9, 2023, which is set to introduce notable salary hikes in 2025. It is noteworthy that Hesse is unique among the federal states, as it does not belong to the employers’ association known as the Tariffgemeinschaft deutscher Länder (TdL). Notably, nearly all other states are adhering to a clear and structured plan. We reached out for insights.
Salaries for civil servants should increase – details from various federal states
Looking at Baden-Württemberg, as of November 1, 2024, civil servant salaries were already boosted by a base salary increase of 200 euros, with an additional planned raise of 5.5 percent slated for February 2025, which is set to proceed as expected without delays. Similarly, Bayern echoed this assurance, indicating the collective agreement for public service employees will be seamlessly transitioned according to the established system, with a corresponding salary increase occurring on February 1, 2025.
Berlin has also implemented a 200 euro increase to the base salary and pensions effective November 1, 2024, alongside a further 5.5 percent raise scheduled for February 1, 2025. A representative from the Berlin Senate Department of Finance clarified, “In addition, there will be an increase in candidate salaries, official position allowances, difficulty allowances, and overtime pay rates, alongside a retroactive adjustment for families with three or more children in regards to alimony from 2008 to 2020, following instructions from the Federal Constitutional Court.”
Alimentation for civil servants
The alimony principle mandates that civil servants and their families receive adequate lifetime support, a requirement echoed by the dbb civil service association, which ties this need to office importance, societal responsibility, and the overall standard of living.
Federal states pursue individualized plans – distinctive salary increases
Brandenburg appears ahead in compliance with the Federal Constitutional Court’s mandates, implementing salary adjustments prior to the collective bargaining agreement and transitioning the base salary amount to a linear increase. Representatives from the Ministry of Finance and Europe in Brandenburg detailed that adjustments included a 4.76 percent raise effective January 1, 2024, followed by a 5.54 percent increase on July 1, 2024, ensuring no further adjustments are anticipated for 2025.
Bremen is adopting its own strategy, planning to elevate salaries and civil servant pensions by 3.65 percent come February. Officials pointed out, “This step is critical in light of competitive job factors, particularly for teachers, given Bremen’s geographic position amidst Lower Saxony.” The collective bargaining outcomes have already been integrated into the civil servant salary framework via amendments in the Civil Service Act.
Federal states align with collective agreement outcomes – salary enhancements expected next year
Mecklenburg-Vorpommern is also in line with the collective agreement results, moving forward with the previously stated base salary increase of 200 euros along with a subsequent 4.76 percent adjustment, while a further salary raise of 5.5 percent is planned for February 1, 2025. The Ministry’s spokeswoman confirmed that the scheduled increase adheres to current expectations.
Lower Saxony’s parliament has adopted the collective agreement from December 9, 2023, and thus there will be no deferment of the salary increment. Finance Minister Gerald Heere emphasized, “From the inception, this government is committed to applying the collective agreement pertaining to civil servants without concessions. We uphold our promises.” Lower Saxony additionally plans to elevate the salaries of heads of smaller educational institutions (up to 80 students) to A14 from January 1, 2025, which necessitates an extra 910,000 euros annually.
“Postponement is not planned” – Rhineland continues its salary trajectory
North Rhine-Westphalia remains steady, having implemented the initial stage salary augmentations as of November 1, 2024, with gross monthly basis salaries seeing a 200 euro increase. Individuals seeking positions and retention allowances will experience a 100 euro per month increment. The Finance Ministry confirmed there are no delays anticipated for the upcoming salary increments in February, reaffirming their commitment to fiscal planning within the 2025 budget.
In Rheinland-Pfalz, the existing salary and pension adjustment law outlines provisions for inflation compensation amounting to 3,000 euros, in addition to a fixed salary increase of 200 euros as of November 1, 2024, with a linear increase of 5.5 percent set for February 1, 2025. Current regulations are expected to remain unchanged.
Delayed adjustments in one federal state – future salary increases pending
Saarland currently faces legislative delays regarding the salary increments. The April 24, 2024 law seeks to formalize the collective bargaining results from December 9, 2023, concerning civil service salary structures. The proposed law aimed at executing the Federal Constitutional Court’s decisions on appropriate alimony is underway, with a formal draft slated for submission to the state parliament in spring 2025.
Saxony stays in accordance with the planned schedule as articulated in the 5th Service Law Amendment Act, which specifies that from November 1, 2024, civil servant salaries and relevant pension calculations will escalate by 4.76 percent, paired with a further 5.5 percent increment effective February 1, 2025.
Likewise, Saxony-Anhalt and Schleswig-Holstein are set to implement salary adjustments of 200 euros by November 1, 2024, with a linear increase of 5.5 percent planned for February 1, 2025. “The safeguard of official alimony remains continuously monitored,” confirmed a representative from Schleswig-Holstein’s Ministry of Finance.
Recent adjustments in Hamburg and Thuringia –Future measures under consideration
Thuringia enacted a law on July 2, 2024, mandating salary increases for civil servants starting January 1, 2023, with an initial rise of 3.25 percent. Civil servants, judges, and pension recipients have already benefitted from a tax-free special payment reaching up to 3,000 euros to cushion rising consumer prices. The increase as of November 1 was measured at 1.462 percent, and the anticipated 5.5 percent increase will transpire on February 1, 2025. The Thuringian Finance Ministry highlighted ongoing reviews to ensure the constitutionality of alimony aligned with present living standards.
Finally, Hamburg is mirroring many states’ approaches by ensuring active civil servants receive a base salary increased by 200 euros starting November 1, 2024. A linear salary rise of 5.5 percent is also expected come February 1, 2025, with further adjustments set to unfold, including salary increases for police and fire brigade personnel planned for August 2025 and 2026.
How are different federal states addressing salary adjustments for civil servants in relation to collective bargaining agreements?
Ies will see an increase of 200 euros, alongside a scheduled 5.5 percent raise set for February 1, 2025. This follows a systematic approach to aligning civil service salary structures with the collective bargaining agreements. Officials are optimistic about timely implementation and are working diligently to ensure that no further setbacks occur.
Summary of salary adjustments across federal states
different federal states are following varied strategies regarding salary adjustments for civil servants:
- Hesse: Postponed salary increases, with collective bargaining for December 2023.
- Baden-Württemberg: 200 euros increase from November 2024, plus 5.5 percent raise in February 2025.
- Bayern: Transitioning salary adjustments as per collective agreements.
- Berlin: Implements similar increases, focusing on various allowances and retroactive adjustments.
- Brandenburg: Advances several salary adjustments ahead of collective agreements.
- Bremen: Plans a 3.65 percent increase for February 2025 focused on competitiveness.
- Mecklenburg-Vorpommern: Follows collective agreement outcomes with planned increases.
- Lower Saxony: Adopts collective agreements, ensuring timely salary increments without delay.
- North Rhine-Westphalia: Proceeds with initial salary increments as planned.
- Rheinland-Pfalz: Maintains inflation compensation measures alongside scheduled raises.
- Saarland: Faces legislative delays regarding salary adjustments.
- Saxony: Aligns with planned salary increases on schedule.
As various states navigate their unique circumstances and collective negotiations, the overarching goal remains: to enhance the compensation structures for civil servants while considering regional economic dynamics and legal frameworks.
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