Strike Halts Buses Across Rural Saxony-Anhalt: Verdi's Warning Strike Paralyzes Towns
Rural areas temporarily at a standstill due to public transport walkout, causing disruption - Rural regions face disruptions as bus services halt due to workers' strike
In a surprising turn of events, many parts of Saxony-Anhalt are grappling with a halt in local bus services. The cause? A full-day warning strike by the union Verdi, in response to an ongoing tariff dispute with several regional transport companies. The hardest-hit areas include the Salzland district, Harz, Altmark, and Jerichower Land.
The action takes aim at the current employer offer, which, according to Verdi, falls drastically short of their demands. Verdi is pushing for income increases ranging from 8-14%, depending on length of employment, along with an extra €50 monthly payment for union members across a 12-month period. Employers, on the other hand, are only willing to offer up to 2.3% annual increases over three years and are adamant against any special provisions for union members.
Brands like BördeBus, Harzer Verkehrsbetriebe, Halberstädter Verkehrs-GmbH, and Personennahverkehrsgesellschaften in Burg, Genthin, the Salzland district, and the Altmark are among those affected. Magdeburg, Halle, Dessau, and Burgenlandkreis remain unaffected, as a different, non-cancelled tariff agreement is in place.
The employer association for public transport (AVN) finds no compelling reason at present to endorse a warning strike. The initial negotiation round, they report, took place in a constructive manner. A fresh round has already been scheduled for June 10th. "Everyone understands that an opening offer doesn't signify a conclusion," emphasized negotiator Uwe Gaßmann. Additionally, the wage negotiation environment is rather tough, given current conditions.
The community is closely following the politics surrounding the ongoing dispute between Verdi and regional transport companies, as the warning strike demanding income increases and enhanced benefits for union members has halted bus services in areas like the Salzland district, Harz, Altmark, and Jerichower Land. In the general news, there are ongoing discussions about potential vocational training programs that could help those bus workers affected by the strike transition into other employment sectors.
