Monday, October 14
Kita strike banned, but Berlin’s education senator wants to talk
Overworked, understaffed and stressed out. The conditions at Berlin daycare centres led staff to agree to drastic action last month, with 280 of the city’s kitas agreeing to an indefinite strike – until they were banned from doing so by the Berlin state government.
The demands of the strike included improved working conditions, citing high stress due to mounting workloads and insufficient staff. On 27th of September, though, they received a court order banning the walkout due to a violation of “peace obligations”.
Now, having banned the strike, Berlin’s Education Senator wants to talk. Katharina Günter Wünsch (CDU) expressed her intention to keep discussions open. “My offer to continue talks still stands – not just for Verdi and GEW unions,” the CDU politician told RBB Inforadio. “When it comes to providing relief for staff, I believe it’s essential to include everyone involved in early childhood education, from providers to the districts.”
The unions’ demands expose various systemic problems in Berlin’s childcare system, which many argue need urgent addressing. The senator said that the causes must finally be discussed constructively, but the pressure is still on the Senate to offer concrete improvements.
