Trade Union Verdi Calls for Warning Strikes in Public Transport of North Rhine-Westphalia
Düsseldorf, Germany – The trade union Verdi has announced plans for warning strikes in public transport in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), affecting over 35,000 employees from more than 30 companies on Friday.
The strike action, scheduled to begin in the early hours of Friday, aims to put pressure on employers in the ongoing negotiations for a new collective bargaining agreement. Verdi is demanding a wage increase of 10.5% and improved working conditions.
The strike call comes after several rounds of negotiations failed to yield an agreement between Verdi and the public transport employers’ association. "We have no other choice but to take strike action," said Verdi NRW Chairman Özay Tarim. "Our demands are reasonable, and the employers must now finally show readiness to compromise."
The warning strikes are expected to cause significant disruptions to public transport services throughout NRW, including bus, tram, and subway networks. Passengers are advised to check with their local transport providers for the latest information on affected services.
The strike action is part of a wave of industrial action in Germany, as trade unions seek to secure wage increases to keep pace with rising inflation. In recent weeks, warning strikes have been carried out in the metal and electrical industries, as well as in the public sector.
Verdi NRW emphasized that the warning strikes are intended to send a clear message to employers and to highlight the determination of public transport workers to secure a fair deal. "We are not prepared to accept wage offers that fall short of our demands," said Tarim. "We are fighting for the interests of our members, who deserve fair pay and decent working conditions."
The trade union has expressed its willingness to continue negotiations with the employers’ association and hopes to reach an agreement that will avert further strike action. However, it has warned that it is prepared to escalate the strike action if necessary.
The strike call has drawn mixed reactions from the public. Some passengers have expressed frustration at the prospect of disruptions to their daily commute, while others have expressed support for the workers’ right to strike.
The public transport employers’ association has criticized the strike call, arguing that it will cause unnecessary inconvenience to passengers and damage the economy. The association has called on Verdi to return to the negotiating table and reach a compromise.
Negotiations between Verdi and the public transport employers’ association are expected to continue in the coming days. Both sides have expressed a desire to find a solution that will avoid further disruptions to public transport services. However, it remains uncertain whether an agreement can be reached before the scheduled warning strikes on Friday.
