Magstadt relies on 39 hours: Better working hours for municipal employees!

Magstadt relies on 39 hours: Better working hours for municipal employees!

In Magstadt, working hours for full-time municipal employees will be reduced from 40 to 39 hours per week. This innovation is in line with the current regulations of the collective agreement for the public service (TVöD), which developed from the federal employee collective bargaining agreement (BAT). An old local council resolution from 2006 had previously delayed the implementation of this change. The decision was based on the assumption that the collective bargaining partners would agree on a 40-hour week, which is not the case.
szbz.de reports that the new regulation is now finally coming into force and thus represents an adjustment to modern demands on working hours.

The TVöD, which regulates employment conditions in the public sector, has undergone various reforms in recent years. This includes not only changes to working hours, but also adjustments to grouping and vacation days. The new regulation in Magstadt is part of this development. According to the information from public-service.de Changes to the TVöD usually occur every two years, with the last adjustment taking place in 2023.

Tariff principles and developments

The reduction of working hours to 39 hours per week is a direct consequence of collective bargaining in the public sector. The TVöD is divided into different areas, including administration and support, and ensures that changes are applied consistently across multiple sectors. These adjustments are aimed at improving the working conditions for employees and adapting them to current social developments. The next revision of the TVöD is planned for the beginning of 2025.

Current collective agreements, which are valid from 2024, show that the TVöD has diverse structures. For example, the TVöD-K was partially replaced by the TVöD-P, while the TVöD SuE was integrated into the TVöD-B. In addition, the TV Autobahn exists under the TVöD Bund, and the collective agreements for the municipal sector, such as TV-N and TV-V, remain independent. These developments show the dynamics of collective bargaining law in the public service.

Public sector employment statistics

A look at the employment figures in the public sector illustrates the relevance of these regulations. As of June 30, 2024, a total of 5,379.8 thousand people were employed in the public sector. This number includes civil servants, judges and employees and shows an increase compared to previous years, where 5,206.0 thousand employees were registered in 2022 and only 4,968.0 thousand in 2021.
haufe.de provides detailed information on the various regulations and their effects.