Solidarity with the collective bargaining movement of student employees. For the integration of student assistants and tutors into the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L)

Open Letter from professors and academic teaching staff, published on 30. November 2023

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Esteemed Regional Finance and Science Ministers,

Student and research assistants, tutors and student employees carry out indispensable work for the scientific community at our universities and research institutions on a daily basis. They also gain valuable insights and further qualifications in this way. Their contribution to research and teaching is indispensable – their work deserves recognition and appropriate appreciation.

Student employees – outside of Berlin, where there has been a TVStud since 1980 – are still employed outside of the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L), which covers all other university employees. In our view, this is a considerable lack of fairness. After all, democratic participation and social security in the world of work are ensured not least by collective agreements, which – especially in their interaction with co-determination in the workplace – ensure the participation of employees in shaping their contractual and working conditions. This German “dual system of industrial relations” is considered exemplary worldwide and stands for a living culture of co-determination; numerous resolutions and manifestos of political parties rightly refer to it.

The state in particular, which you represent at ministerial level, has a special role model function as an employer when it comes to ensuring the application of collective agreements. There should be no exceptions to collective agreements, especially not in the public sector. It is a minimum standard. Last but not least, a collective agreement would make these jobs more attractive. We are therefore following the current round of collective bargaining in the federal states with interest. We explicitly welcome the fact that the trade unions have made the demand for the integration of student employees into the collective agreement of the federal states the subject of the current negotiations in Potsdam.

We strongly support the demand of the trade unions and the TVStud movement to integrate student employees into the collective agreement of the federal states (TV-L) as part of the current negotiations. Student employees, like all other (university) employees, are also entitled to the protection of a collective agreement. They should also be subject to correspondingly adapted collective bargaining regulations so that their legal entitlements are above the statutory minimum – such as the minimum wage. They should also participate in collectively agreed wage increases. And sufficient financial resources should also be made available for these pay rises as part of collective bargaining rounds. Every second employee now enters the job market from university. This is where students gain their first work experience. This experience should be characterized by basic democratic principles. Universities and research institutions in particular must set a good example here.

We therefore appeal to you: As finance and science ministers of the federal states, support the legitimate concerns of student employees for integration into the TV-L. An established collective agreement for student employees (TVStud) in Berlin, seven coalition agreements and other commitments (such as by the state governments in Brandenburg and Hamburg) will give you the necessary political backing. It’s not just us – these young voters are also taking careful note of these positive references. Prove the credibility of politics and take this path with the trade unions in the current round of collective bargaining. You can be sure of our support.

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Over 2000 initial signatories have already supported the open letter. Signing is still open. Please use the following form:

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First signatories

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Featured image: @protestfotodd