Corresponding Entities: Conserving Property at the Cost of Judiciary and Administrative Officials
Civil Service Pay Dispute in Baden-Württemberg: Union Accuses Finance Minister of Neglecting Duty of Care
A contentious dispute between the Civil Service Union of Baden-Württemberg and the Ministry of Finance in Germany has arisen over civil service pay negotiations and the union's accusation that the Finance Minister is not fulfilling his duty of care towards civil servants.
At the heart of the dispute is the union's claim that the Minister of Finance has neglected his responsibilities by not adequately addressing pay demands or protecting the financial and social interests of civil servants in Baden-Württemberg. The union views this as a potential neglect that could affect the livelihoods, motivation, and rights of public employees.
The current dispute stems from ongoing negotiations around civil service pay in Baden-Württemberg, where the Finance Ministry is seen as the gatekeeper of public finance and employee compensation. However, the union's expectations and obligations have not been met, according to recent tensions.
The union and the judges' association in Baden-Württemberg have accused Finance Minister Danyal Bayaz of wanting to save money at the expense of their members. The proceedings from 2018 to 2023 were suspended due to a constitutional court ruling from 2015.
The increase in citizen's income led to the basic security being 24 percent above "Hartz IV". In an opinion for the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, former constitutional judge Udo di Fabio declared the use of fictional partner income unconstitutional. The state introduced a fictional partner income to maintain the minimum distance to basic security on paper.
The latest tax estimate shows that the state budget is under high financial pressure, with a deficit of five billion euros in the medium-term financial planning. This contradicts a long-standing practice, according to Kai Rosenberger, chairman of the Civil Service Union of Baden-Württemberg.
The Federal Constitutional Court defined not only a minimum distance to basic security but also distances within the remuneration structure. Only those public officials who sue the state in time are to receive compensation, according to the Ministry of Finance. However, the Ministry is reverting to a usual procedure, according to Sebastian Engelmann, ministry spokesman.
The ruling postulated a minimum distance of civil service pay from basic security of 15 percent for the first time. Unlike in the past, the Ministry of Finance is not willing to compensate all civil servants and judges whose pay may be unconstitutional in the future. The lowest remuneration level should have also been increased due to this, with implications for all other remuneration levels.
Rosenberger quoted di Fabio, saying, "One cannot simply pull at the most convenient spot when the ceiling is too short." The state is not fulfilling its duty of care, according to Rosenberger. For more detailed or updated information, consulting Baden-Württemberg’s government or union communications from July–August 2025 would be advisable.
Michael Schwarz, the contact person for the Civil Service Union of Baden-Württemberg, can be reached at 0711 66601-599 and m.schwarz@our website. The dispute remains ongoing, with potential implications for the livelihoods and working conditions of civil servants in Baden-Württemberg.
- The ongoing pay dispute between the Civil Service Union and the Finance Minister in Baden-Württemberg involves allegations of neglecting duty of care, affecting not only the livelihoods of civil servants but also the overall business operations of the civil service.
- The dispute over civil service pay in Baden-Württemberg, involving the Finance Ministry, has raised concerns in the realm of general-news and politics, as it could potentially impact the financial stability of the region and the motivation of public employees, with repercussions for wider business and political dynamics.
