In this way the change of the systemic act, which has been announced quite some time ago and which would allow to award the best, will steal the limelight from issue of next year's salaries, bonuses, and other rights. The government is opening a new season of negotiations, or as plainly stated by Minister Boris Koprivnikar, "it will be necessary to sit at the negotiating table and make an agreement for 2016 within the possibilities, in order to preserve the sustainability of the wage bill, and at the same time respect the agreement which was made ".
Koprivnikar stresses one commitment only
The agreement and the law are clear; basically all the valid cuts are valid only for this year. It was a decisive moment for the unions at signing the agreement. Minister Koprivnikar does not deny the given commitments, but he sets out only one. He claims that they are "absolutely determined to respect the direct agreement on promotions, as public servants have not been promoted for years. On the other hand, we might again face the option of extending some of the measures, or replace them with new ones..."
The burden of 442 million euros
Thus the freezing or reduction of salaries might continue next year as well, the only unknowns remain the concrete measures, i.e. the number of percent, as can be understood from the government material as well. The relaxation of the valid reduction would cause the burden of 442 million euros, most of the sum, i.e. 180 million or 40% for promotions. The estimated value for defreezing of regular job performance is 71 million, restoration of bonuses to minimal salary 65 million, and defreezing of pension premiums 53 million euros.
The government and the unions are thus facing hard negotiations, presumably only in autumn. The expected initial tactic of both parties is to remain firm on their positions – government will suggest extension of all the measures, and the unions will demand none of them remains valid.