BERLIN -Unions representing Germany's public servants say they will ask for a pay raise of 6.5 percent in upcoming negotiations with employers.
Ver.di union chief Frank Bsirske said Thursday in Berlin the two million employees in the public sector "need significantly higher incomes."
Ver.di and its affiliated unions are also demanding a minimum monthly increase of euro200 ($265) for employees earning lower wages.
The negotiations are scheduled to start early next month.
The country's biggest industrial union, IG Metall, also asked for a 6.5 percent increase for its workers.
Germany, Europe's biggest economy, grew by a strong 3 percent last year, but the government expects growth to slow to 0.7 percent amid the continent's debt crisis.
Copyright 2012 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
