Germany: Defense Minister open talks with social partners to transfer at least 17,000 soldiers and to recall reservists

When meeting with union and employers’ representatives in early September in Berlin, German Defense Minister Thomas de Maizière called on the social partners to actively support soldiers’ transfer at the end of their careers, notably by raising awareness within their networks.  De Maizière pointed to the “skills, performance and commitment” of these men, used to responsibility and experienced in the field.  He reminded that the Bundeswehr was the largest training organization in the country.  In addition to the problems coming with cutting 17,000 army jobs quickly, the Minister also said he wanted to open a long-term debate on the army’s role in society, on the role of reservists and on professional retraining for military men.  He wants to do this with major civil stakeholders such as unions, businesses, scientific institutions and Churches.  The Federation of German Industries (BDI) agreed to revive the cycle of “Celle meetings” – regular meetings between military and economic leaders which de Maizière’s predecessor cancelled.  Besides, the Minister was invited to meet with the board of the German Confederation of Trade Unions (DGB), which is extremely rare.  A few days later, the air force (Luftwaffe) and Diehl Defence announced that they signed a cooperation agreement similar to the one signed on March 14 between the Luftwaffe and Cassidian on the employment of veterans and reserve executives (see our dispatch No.  120221).  With this agreement, Diehl announced that it was ready to facilitate its workers’ commitment to the Luftwaffe within the framework of military reserve and to give recruitment priority to veterans.