Postcard campaign
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University employees continue to protest against cuts to the science budget
Hesse's university employees are continuing to defend themselves against the threat of cuts to the science budget.
At midday in Wiesbaden, delegations of university staff handed over 3,570 postcards signed by employees to Christoph Degen, State Secretary in the Ministry of Science and Research, Art and Culture. "Despite the vacations and lecture-free period, more than 3,500 university employees in Hesse have signed in a short space of time for adequate basic funding for universities to enable good teaching and research," said Gabriel Nyč, who is responsible for universities at ver.di Hesse. "This is a clear signal to the state government not to cut back on education and science. It would be fatal, especially in these economically and socially uncertain times."
Employees demand consistent and binding implementation of the agreement for more jobs
In the action jointly supported by ver.di and GEW, the signatories are calling not only for good funding but also for the consistent and binding implementation of the creation of permanent positions agreed between the trade unions and the state. "The state government must secure funding. The university management is responsible for providing more secure jobs and good working conditions," explained Johannes Reinhard, spokesperson for the ver.di shop stewards at TU Darmstadt.
"Budgets must continue to rise by four percent annually"
The deputy chairperson of GEW Hessen, Simone Claar, warned of dramatic effects on study and employment conditions if the state government's plans are implemented. "The CDU and SPD came into office with the promise to ensure adequate and reliable funding for universities. The employees and students take them at their word." Budgets would have to increase by at least four percent annually, as in previous years before the price explosion. "Cuts in education, whether at schools or universities, are the opposite of a forward-looking policy. The state government must change its mind."
Press release ver.di: hessen.verdi.de/presse/press-releases/++co++6d271502-9cf8-11ef-96ca-90b11c4f1b2d
