Bielefeld (dpa/mak/mola/anwi). The union Verdi is calling on employees of municipal transport companies in North Rhine-Westphalia to participate in renewed warning strikes as part of the current wage negotiations. “In all regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, buses and trams will noticeably come to a standstill from the earliest shift to the latest shift,” Verdi stated. S-Bahn and regional train services will not be affected by the wage negotiations.
No Buses and Trains in Bielefeld
- In Bielefeld, public transport will be suspended between 4 a.m. And 4 a.m. The following day on Tuesday, March 17, and Thursday, March 19, according to Mobiel. City trains and Mobiel buses will not be running on these days.
- Bus lines operated by external companies will continue to run on Tuesday and Thursday. Passengers can identify an overview on the Mobiel website.
- In Herford, the warning strike affects only Mobiel bus lines: 52, 53, 152 and 153.
Buses in Gütersloh Suspended Starting Thursday
- In Gütersloh, city bus services will be suspended from Thursday, March 19, to Sunday morning, March 22, at 4 a.m., according to Gütersloh municipal utilities.
- School buses will be cancelled on Thursday and Friday. Regular city bus services will be cancelled on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. Shuttle services will be cancelled until Sunday morning. The service center at the Central Bus Station will remain closed.
Warning Strikes Similarly in Workshops
On Monday, March 16, employees in the administrations and customer centers of local transport companies in NRW were already called to a warning strike. For Wednesday, March 18, Verdi is calling for operate stoppages in the workshops.
Public transport in Gütersloh and Bielefeld was last disrupted by a strike last Friday. Strikes also took place in the two OWL cities on several days in February.
Strike Peak in NRW on Thursday
The warning strike in local public transport on Tuesday and Thursday will affect many places in NRW. On Tuesday, Verdi is initially striking parts of local transport companies, before all employees are called to a warning strike on Thursday. This is intended to highlight which occupational groups ensure that local transport functions, according to the union.
For Thursday, employees in local public transport are also called to a warning strike in Bavaria and Hamburg. In Hesse, the level of participation should be decided on Monday, and in Bremen on Wednesday.
Do Schoolchildren Still Have to Go to School?
The NRW Ministry of Education had pointed out in previous warning strikes in local public transport that the obligation to attend school remains in effect: “In the event of announced events such as a strike by public transport, the obligation to attend school continues to apply.”
Why are Transport Companies Being Striked?
The tariff dispute concerns the working conditions of around 30,000 employees in around 30 municipal transport companies in NRW. No agreement has been reached after two rounds of negotiations.
Verdi NRW wants to reduce the weekly working time from 39 to 37 hours with full pay compensation. The rest period between two shifts should also be increased from 10 to 11 hours. The surcharge for Sunday work should be increased from 25 percent to at least 40 percent of the hourly wage.
Employers Consider Demands Excessive
The Kommunaler Arbeitgeberverband Nordrhein-Westfalen (Municipal Employers’ Association of North Rhine-Westphalia) has accused Verdi for weeks of ignoring the dire financial situation of transport companies. Tariff and remuneration conditions have already improved significantly, and local transport already offers attractive jobs. The tariff negotiations will continue in a third round from March 24.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the scope of the strikes?
The strikes affect bus and tram services in all regions of North Rhine-Westphalia, with a peak expected on Thursday. S-Bahn and regional train services are not affected.
What is Verdi demanding?
Verdi NRW is demanding a reduction in weekly working hours, an increase in rest periods between shifts, and a higher surcharge for Sunday work.
What is the position of the employers?
The Kommunaler Arbeitgeberverband Nordrhein-Westfalen believes Verdi’s demands are excessive given the financial challenges faced by transport companies.
As these strikes unfold, how might commuters adapt their routines and transportation plans in the face of widespread disruptions?
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