Die The Verdi union is calling for warning strikes in local public transport nationwide next week – the central German states are also affected. As the union announced on Thursday in Berlin, the labor disputes will last from Monday to Saturday and will be staggered regionally, as a so-called “wave strike”.
In individual federal states, strikes should take place on different days during this period – primarily all day and mostly over several days, Verdi said. Only Bavaria is exempt from the warning strikes. The main strike day is planned for March 1st – the climate movement Fridays For Future is also organizing numerous demonstrations against the climate crisis on this day.
Better working conditions for the approximately 90,000 employees
Verdi wants to achieve better working conditions and relief for employees in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations for the approximately 90,000 public transport employees in over 130 municipal companies. This involves, for example, a shortening of weekly working hours, an increase in vacation entitlement, additional relief days for shift and night work as well as a limitation on shared services and unpaid times in driving service, the union said.
Another goal is to make jobs in local transport more attractive. All transport companies suffer from a lack of staff, and bus drivers are particularly difficult to find. The union is currently negotiating in parallel in all federal states, but the collective agreement has not been terminated in Bavaria. This means that strikes cannot take place there.
In Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia it is also about payment
In There is another strike target in Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia – there it is also about pay. As in Brandenburg and Saarland, higher wages and salaries are being negotiated in the two central German states. Verdi, for example, is demanding 20 percent more per month for employees in Brandenburg, but at least 650 euros.