A modern wave of strikes impacting public transportation began Thursday, affecting numerous cities across Bavaria. The labor actions, called by the Verdi union, are currently underway in Bayern, Saarland, Brandenburg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Hamburg, with potential disruptions also possible in Hessen and Bremen.
Regional Impacts in Franken
Verdi announced that strikes are planned for nine cities, including Nuremberg, Bayreuth, Bamberg, and Regensburg. Additional cities affected include Augsburg, Passau, Landshut, Munich, and Dachau. Further actions in other communities are possible later this week, with details to be announced as they develop into available. As of Tuesday, Fürth and Schwabach were also confirmed to be impacted, according to Manfred Rupp, a spokesperson for the Verkehrsverbund Großraum Nürnberg (VGN).
In Fürth, Verdi is calling on employees of Infra Fürth Verkehr Service GmbH to strike from Thursday, March 19th, at 4 a.m. Until Saturday, March 21st, at 4 a.m. Schwabach’s public transportation will be halted from Thursday, March 19th, at midnight to Friday, March 20th, at midnight.
Nuremberg’s strike began Wednesday evening, March 18th, with bus workshop employees initiating the action. The strike is scheduled to finish Sunday, March 22nd, at the start of operations. Officials are still assessing the full impact on service.
Thursday’s service in Nuremberg is expected to remain largely unaffected, as the strike does not involve operating personnel. Although, disruptions are anticipated on Friday, March 20th, and Saturday, March 21st, with a strike schedule based on the NightLiner network to be released Thursday evening.
Deutsche Bahn trains are exempt from the strikes. Bamberg will experience a complete shutdown of regular city bus service on Thursday, with a limited replacement schedule operating between 6 a.m. And 8 p.m. Bayreuth will also see disruptions on Thursday, with only buses from partner companies in operation, potentially leading to delays and overcrowding.
In Munich, Verdi planned a strike as early as Tuesday, though not involving operating staff. Further disruptions in Munich, including potential impacts on buses, trams, and subways, are possible on Wednesday and Thursday. The duration of the strikes in other locations remains uncertain, with Verdi local branches determining the specifics.
Negotiations at a Standstill
The renewed labor actions aim to intensify pressure on municipalities during the current round of negotiations for Bavaria’s public transportation system. The next negotiation with the Kommunaler Arbeitgeberverband (KAV) is scheduled for Monday, March 23rd, but previous talks have yielded no agreement.
Verdi is demanding a wage increase of almost 670 Euro and a reduction in weekly working hours for the roughly 9,000 employees. Municipalities have deemed these demands unaffordable, estimating a 25% increase in personnel costs. Verdi argues that significant wage increases are necessary to address the rising cost of living and prevent employees from being unable to afford their lives.
Frequently Asked Questions
What cities are affected by the strikes?
Nuremberg, Bayreuth, Bamberg, Regensburg, Augsburg, Passau, Landshut, Munich, Dachau, Fürth, and Schwabach are currently affected, with potential for further disruptions in other communities.
When do the strikes begin?
The strikes began on Wednesday evening, March 18th, in Nuremberg and Thursday, March 19th, in most other locations.
Are Deutsche Bahn trains affected?
No, the strikes do not affect trains operated by Deutsche Bahn.
As negotiations continue, will these strikes significantly alter public transportation access for commuters in the region?
