Labour Day with ver.di workspace group

Dear Colleagues,
We, the ver.di workplace group, want you to join us in the union
demonstration on May 1. Why? We’d like to explain that to you here:

Because the 8-hour workday is non-negotiable!
We are constantly told that we don’t work hard enough and that we are lazy. The 8-hour workday is under increasing attack. Just recently, there was discussion about abolishing the right to work part-time. We must make it clear that we will not let our hard-won rights be taken away from us! 8 hours are more than enough! Anything else leads to burnout and puts our health at risk. After all, there’s already barely any time left for rest when we have to shop, take care of the kids, and cook meals.

Because we stand together as a workforce, regardless of skin color,
religion, or background!
Racist incitement is currently on the rise. At the EU’s external borders, in statements by politicians, and even here at KIT. We counter this with our solidarity! Dear international colleagues, migrant colleagues, and colleagues affected by racism: join us at the May 1st demonstration!

Because we need the right to peaceful research!
The federal government is currently pouring vast sums into military buildup, and this affects us at KIT very directly. We are a civilian university. Our research should serve humanity – developing technologies that improve our lives and protect the foundations of our existence.
Furthermore, academic freedom must be guaranteed, and that also means that no one should be forced to conduct war and weapons research. But our research depends on funding, and if everything is poured into weapons research, there will be nothing left for anything else. The current social cuts already show this, but it won’t stop there.

And when it comes down to it for us with our fixed-term contracts – either an arms project or no contract renewal – that’s the end of academic freedom.

That is why, on May 1 2026, we will stand up for our rights as workers together with colleagues from other workplaces. Join us and bring your colleagues!

We’ll start at 10:30 a.m. at the Festplatz; we’ll meet at the KIT Betriebsgruppen-banner!