The next strike is imminent in local public transport. Numerous federal states will be affected next Thursday.
Berlin – Travelers and commuters in five federal states will again have to adjust to disruptions in bus and rail traffic on Thursday (May 4th, 2023). The Verdi union announced on Wednesday that it had called on the employees of some transport companies, most of which operate local public transport (ÖPNV) by road and rail as well as rail freight, to take part in industrial action.
Another warning strike: which federal states are affected
This applies above all to public sector companies that fall under the railway collective agreement (ETV). Verdi expects regional restrictions in local public transport. Actions are planned in:
- Schleswig Holstein
- Lower Saxony
- North Rhine-Westphalia
- Bavaria
- Baden-Wuerttemberg
More than 2,000 employees nationwide took part in the first warning strike in this collective bargaining round on April 26. The second round of talks on April 28 remained without result. “We were only presented with a slightly different offer,” said Verdi negotiator Volker Nuss. “But the price crisis cannot be tackled with cosmetic changes,” he explained, referring to the high inflation.
Strike: No effects as on the day of the big strike
The railway collective agreement (ETV) applies to around 5,000 employees in around 40 non-federal companies throughout Germany. Social partners are Verdi and the Employers’ Association of German Railways (AGVDE). Verdi called for strikes in only a few of these 40 companies. The impairments should therefore not be nearly as great as on April 21 during the industrial dispute of the railway and transport union (EVG). This paralyzed local, regional and long-distance traffic nationwide for eight hours. The EVG is negotiating for around 230,000 employees at Deutsche Bahn and around 50 other railway companies.
Verdi is demanding an increase in wages and salaries of 550 euros per month for a period of twelve months for the workforce that falls under the ETV. The employer’s offer therefore provides for a term of 26 months and a table increase of eight percent or at least 300 euros only from May 2024. For 2023, the employers are offering a tax-free special payment of 1080 euros and eleven monthly one-off payments of 160 euros until April 2024. Negotiations will continue on May 5th. (ph/reuters)