Public Service Union ver.di Calls for Nationwide Warning Strike in Local Public Transport
Stuttgart, Germany – The public service union ver.di has called for a nationwide warning strike in local public transport on Friday, March 10th, 2023. The strike is part of the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations for public service employees at the federal and municipal levels.
Affected Regions
The strike will impact six German states: Baden-Württemberg, Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Rhineland-Palatinate. The strike will affect all modes of local public transport, including buses, trams, and trains.
Reason for the Strike
ver.di is using the strike to emphasize its demands in the collective bargaining negotiations. The union is seeking an 8% wage increase or a minimum monthly pay increase of 350 euros. The second round of negotiations, which took place on Tuesday, March 7th, 2023, ended without any significant progress. The negotiations are scheduled to resume in Potsdam from March 14th to 16th, 2023.
Employer’s Position
So far, the employers have not presented an offer. They have argued that the union’s demands are unrealistic and would place an undue burden on taxpayers.
Additional Strikes
In addition to the strike in local public transport, ver.di has also called for warning strikes in other sectors, including the Berlin public transport company BVG. The BVG employees are scheduled to strike on Thursday and Friday, March 9th and 10th, 2023.
Impact of the Strike
The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions to local public transport services in the affected regions. Commuters are advised to seek alternative transportation options on the days of the strike.
Public Reaction
The public reaction to the strike has been mixed. Some support the union’s demands, arguing that public service employees deserve fair wages and working conditions. Others are concerned about the inconvenience the strike will cause.
Negotiations Resume
The collective bargaining negotiations are scheduled to resume on March 14th, 2023. Both sides have expressed their desire to reach an agreement, but the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain.
Background
The collective bargaining negotiations for public service employees at the federal and municipal levels cover over 2.5 million employees nationwide. The negotiations are taking place against the backdrop of rising inflation and a tight labor market.
