Frank Werneke, the leader of Verdi, dismissed ideas about removing May 1st as a public holiday. Speaking to “Redaktionsnetzwerk Deutschland” the chairman of Germany’s second-largest union stated that they will not hesitate when it comes to preventing social cuts and protecting workers’ rights.
He strongly criticized the coalition, saying, “The fact that the Union dares to place the removal of May 1st as a legal holiday on the smear lists circulating in Berlin is not only outrageous-it is an alarm bell: nothing will be spared when it comes to social cuts and the deterioration of workers’ rights”.
Werneke added that what is currently happening is “a barrage of attacks on the welfare state”. He stressed the need for the union to demonstrate to the federal government that employees will not accept these measures quietly. According to the Verdi chief, “Without a strong and organized worker movement, nothing in this country is safe. Therefore, it is all the more important in my view that many people take to the streets on this day”.
