Frank Werneke, the chairman of the service union Verdi, has called upon Bärbel Bas, a co-chairwoman of the SPD and Labour Minister, to redouble her efforts in advocating for workers’ rights. Werneke told the Handelsblatt that this is an expectation shared by the unions, particularly in light of May Day.
He emphasized the urgency of this demand, even acknowledging the risk that the upcoming BDA employer day might not proceed harmoniously. He recalled that at the 2025 employer day, Bas had been laughed at, prompting her to later suggest to the Jusos (the political faction) that this incident demonstrated “who we actually have to fight together”.
Separately, the Verdi chief issued a warning to Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz regarding the danger of further societal division. Werneke stressed that Merz “must not lose touch with the hardworking people who keep the country running with their immense dedication”. He concluded that given the current economic conditions and the numerous crises facing the nation, “societal division cannot be allowed to progress in Germany”.
