Baden-Württemberg braces for AOK strikes as wage negotiations collapse
Warning strikes are set to negotiate AOK health insurance offices in Baden-Württemberg after wage talks broke down. The Verdi union has called for walkouts after employers failed to make an offer in the first round of negotiations. Staff are demanding higher pay and better conditions across the region.
The strikes will affect 11 of AOK's 14 regional directorates, along with its headquarters and IT subsidiary, ITSCare. Each action will last one day, with some rallies joining public-sector workers already on strike. Around 11,500 employees work across these locations in Baden-Württemberg.
Verdi is pushing for a 7.5 percent pay rise, with a minimum increase of €375 over 12 months. The union's demand follows stalled negotiations, where no counteroffer was presented. The next talks are scheduled for February 17 and 18.
Nationwide, the dispute could involve roughly 55,000 AOK employees. Verdi has called for coordinated action, signalling broader unrest if no agreement is reached.
The strikes will disrupt services at key AOK offices in the region. With no progress in negotiations so far, further industrial action remains possible. The outcome of the next round of talks will determine whether the dispute escalates or a deal is reached.
