US Military Civilian Employees in Germany Receive Performance Request Emails from New Agency
Emails from a Musk-connected agency prompt concerns from labor unions over employment security and wage issues.
Civilian employees of the United States military in Germany have reported receiving emails demanding performance reports from a newly established agency associated with Elon Musk.
The Verdi labor union has indicated that multiple employees have been asked to submit a list of five activities they performed in the previous week, warning that non-compliance could lead to termination.
This communication aligns with a broader initiative announced by Musk at the end of February on the social media platform X, indicating that all federal employees would receive such correspondence.
Approximately two million federal employees in the U.S. were sent a similar email from a personnel management agency, requesting an account of their weekly accomplishments.
Musk was appointed by former President Donald Trump to spearhead initiatives aimed at reducing federal spending, resulting in the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a sub-agency of the White House.
This agency is tasked with restructuring government operations, which includes proposals for mass layoffs.
Union representatives have expressed concern about the recent developments, citing prior assurances from management that German civilian employees would be exempt from such requests.
Susanne Schäfer, a secretary for Verdi, noted that during ongoing bargaining negotiations, management conveyed that these emails would not be directed at German workers.
In light of the unexpected sending of these emails, the union is currently exploring its legal options.
In related actions, Verdi has called for a warning strike this Wednesday among civilian employees stationed in Rhineland-Palatinate.
This protest is in response to what the union has described as an inadequate employer offer of a 1.7% salary increase.
Schäfer pointed out that many employees, including firefighters and maintenance personnel, are earning wages just above the minimum threshold, necessitating demands for substantial pay increases.
Within Germany, approximately 12,000 workers are employed by U.S. stationed forces, with around 9,000 of those positions situated in Rhineland-Palatinate.
At the Spangdahlem Air Base alone, there are about 800 German employees actively working.
The Verdi labor union has indicated that multiple employees have been asked to submit a list of five activities they performed in the previous week, warning that non-compliance could lead to termination.
This communication aligns with a broader initiative announced by Musk at the end of February on the social media platform X, indicating that all federal employees would receive such correspondence.
Approximately two million federal employees in the U.S. were sent a similar email from a personnel management agency, requesting an account of their weekly accomplishments.
Musk was appointed by former President Donald Trump to spearhead initiatives aimed at reducing federal spending, resulting in the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (Doge), a sub-agency of the White House.
This agency is tasked with restructuring government operations, which includes proposals for mass layoffs.
Union representatives have expressed concern about the recent developments, citing prior assurances from management that German civilian employees would be exempt from such requests.
Susanne Schäfer, a secretary for Verdi, noted that during ongoing bargaining negotiations, management conveyed that these emails would not be directed at German workers.
In light of the unexpected sending of these emails, the union is currently exploring its legal options.
In related actions, Verdi has called for a warning strike this Wednesday among civilian employees stationed in Rhineland-Palatinate.
This protest is in response to what the union has described as an inadequate employer offer of a 1.7% salary increase.
Schäfer pointed out that many employees, including firefighters and maintenance personnel, are earning wages just above the minimum threshold, necessitating demands for substantial pay increases.
Within Germany, approximately 12,000 workers are employed by U.S. stationed forces, with around 9,000 of those positions situated in Rhineland-Palatinate.
At the Spangdahlem Air Base alone, there are about 800 German employees actively working.
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