PSI, its affiliates and staff express their sincere condolences to Herbert Mai’s family, friends and comrades in the German and international trade union movement, particularly at ver.di.

Herbert Mai passed away on 2 April 2026 at the age of 78. A dedicated trade unionist throughout his life, he played a key role in defending public service workers in Germany and across Europe.

PSI General Secretary Daniel Bertossa expressed deep regret at the passing of this committed internationalist: “Herbert was a strong voice for public service workers in Germany and Europe. His leadership in ÖTV, EPSU and as PSI Vice-President helped advance the defence of quality public services and social dialogue at a crucial time. We will remember his pragmatic approach, his ability to listen, and his determination to modernise while protecting workers’ rights. We all owe him our gratitude for his lifelong dedication to trade union values, European social dialogue, and the defence of public services."

ver.di Chair Frank Werneke described Mai as “an extraordinary person and great trade unionist” who represented employees with passion and foresight: “Herbert Mai was a pragmatic reformer and moderniser: more a man of quiet tones, who was a good listener and trusted in arguments that he weighed carefully. We will miss him.”

Born in 1947 in Dalheim/Rödgen, North Rhine-Westphalia, Mai had a long career in the union movement, beginning with active involvement in youth work and rising to the top of the German trade union ÖTV (Public Services, Transport and Traffic Union), where he served as leader from 1995 to 2000. He initiated and managed the merger discussions between ÖTV and other service sector unions - DAG, HBV (banking and insurance), DPG (Postal union) and IG Medien - which led to the creation of ver.di in 2001, now one of the world’s largest trade unions. After stepping down from the ÖTV leadership, he served as Labour Director at Fraport AG until his retirement in 2012.

At the international level, Herbert Mai served as PSI Vice-President from April 1998 to 2001, representing the German union ÖTV. During this period, he also served as President of the European Federation of Public Service Unions (EPSU), PSI’s European regional structure (1996–2001).

As leader of EPSU, he supported the Federation to become a powerful voice for Europe’s public service workers. He particularly led the Federation’s work together with PSI in Central and Eastern Europe.

EPSU General Secretary Jan Willem Goudriaan said: “I remember Herbert as a kind man, open to listen. He sought solutions for the problems we encountered in those early years of the Federation and built the foundations for the strong Federation we now are. He will be missed.”

In this capacity, Mai actively championed high-quality public services in Europe. He led an EPSU delegation that met with Austrian Chancellor Viktor Klima in early November 1998 to discuss the role of public services, lobbying against deregulation and promoting the European Charter for public services “In the Public Interest - public services for people in Europe.” Developed by EPSU and the ETUC in 1998, the Charter aimed to influence public debate, European Parliament elections and EU policy, advocating for public services as essential to citizens’ rights, job creation, social cohesion and a social market economy.

Workers in public services around the world owe a debt of gratitude to Herbert Mai for his lifelong commitment to trade union values, European social dialogue and the defence of public services.

Herbert Mai, present!

Read an obituary from Ver.di here.