Bielefeld (dpa/jad/pbr/mak/anwi) – A two-day warning strike impacting public transportation in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) is set to commence early Friday morning, February 27th, and continue through the night of March 1st. The strike, called by the Verdi union, aims to pressure employers in the ongoing wage dispute. Similar to a one-day strike earlier in February, buses, streetcars, and subways will be largely unavailable.
According to Verdi, more than 30 municipal transport companies employing around 30,000 workers in NRW will be affected. The union anticipates that throughout the state, “no buses and trains will run all day, from the earliest shift to the latest shift” on both Friday and Saturday.
The affected transport companies include services in nearly all major cities in NRW, from Bielefeld (Mobiel) and Gütersloh (Stadtbus) to Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Duisburg, as well as Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, and Hagen. The Aachener Verkehrsbetriebe Aseag are among the few exceptions in NRW not included in the negotiations.
The strike will also impact travel to and from the sold-out Arminia Bielefeld soccer match against Hannover 96 on Saturday, as well as night bus services. The Bundesliga match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich, with over 81,000 expected attendees, will also be affected, along with other soccer games in NRW.
Further complicating travel plans, Deutsche Bahn will be closing the railway bridge on Sophienstraße in Herford starting Friday at 9 PM for planned construction. This will result in the cancellation of stops for long-distance trains in Hamm, Gütersloh, Bielefeld, Herford, and Bad Oeynhausen, with disruptions to regional lines and some replacement bus services.
Verdi is demanding a reduction in the weekly working hours from 39 to 37 hours with full pay, an increase in the minimum rest time between shifts from ten to eleven hours, and a higher Sunday work surcharge, increasing from 25 percent to at least 40 percent of the hourly wage. The union also calls for increased investment in infrastructure and personnel.
Mobiel, the Bielefeld transport company, has criticized the two-day strike, stating that a complete shutdown is unavoidable due to the expected high level of employee participation. They regret the impact on passengers but maintain that the measure is disproportionate.
The second round of negotiations is scheduled for March 2nd. Verdi expects employers to present a viable offer in response to their demands. According to Verdi official Christine Behle, employers do not yet understand that a functioning public transportation system cannot be sustained without improved working conditions. DGB NRW Chairman Thorben Albrecht has called on employers to move, stating they are responsible for the strike and have the power to end it.
Frequently Asked Questions
What areas will be affected by the strike?
The strike will affect nearly all major cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Bielefeld, Gütersloh, Bonn, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Duisburg, Oberhausen, Gelsenkirchen, Dortmund, and Hagen.
When will the strike take place?
The strike is scheduled to begin at 4:00 AM on Friday, February 27th, and continue until 4:00 AM on Sunday, March 1st.
What is Verdi demanding from employers?
Verdi is demanding a reduction in the weekly working hours to 37 with full pay, increased rest times between shifts, and a higher Sunday work surcharge.
As negotiations continue, commuters and travelers in NRW should prepare for significant disruptions to public transportation services. Will alternative transportation options be sufficient to mitigate the impact of the strike on daily life?