Dear colleagues,

We want to respond to the unions’ call to protest and show our solidarity by taking to the streets with them on February 22, 2025, to oppose the current policy of cutbacks and support funding that benefits the entire city! Please join us! Together, we are strong!

When? Saturday, February 22, 2025, at 2:00 p.m.
Where? Rotes Rathaus (City Hall), Neptunbrunnen (Neptune Fountain)

Why protest?

Universities and colleges in Berlin are facing cutbacks because the Berlin Senate failed to uphold the terms of the higher education pacts and unilaterally implemented cuts amounting to 142 million euros – an 8% decrease to the 2025 budget. There are also plans to cut another 223 million euros from the 2026 and 2027 budgets.

These cutbacks will have disastrous consequences: University classrooms will be overcrowded. Instructors won’t be able to adequately support students. Entire degree programs will have to be discontinued. These cuts threaten the rich diversity in research and education that defines our city. There is also talk of hiring freezes, increased workloads, no more regular salary increases for employees, no permanent positions for mid-career researchers, and delays in crucial construction and building projects. Under these conditions, it will be impossible to conduct research or fulfill our work responsibilities!

We say “no” to a hiring freeze! “No” to closing institutes, subject areas, faculties, and departments! “No” to blocking mid-career researchers from permanent jobs!

We say “yes” to high-quality education and stable employment at Berlin’s universities and colleges!

You can find the collective call to protest and other mobilization materials here (in German): www.berlin-ist-unkuerzbar.de. 

 

In solidarity,

Staff Council: Dahlem