Bus Traffic Disrupted in Lower Saxony as Verdi Bus Drivers Stage Warning Strike
Disruption to bus services in areas of Lower Saxony due to unscheduled attack - Disrupted bus services in select areas of Lower Saxony due to a halt in operations.
Facing a potentially long wait for public transport, residents in certain areas of Lower Saxony are feeling the effects of a union-staged warning strike. The United Services Trade Union, Verdi, called on bus drivers in various regions to walk off their jobs for a day. This action impacts several towns and cities, including Braunschweig, Hildesheim, Lüneburg, Nordhorn, Stade, Verden, Cuxhaven, Winsen (district of Harburg), and Zeven.
In Cuxhaven, Winsen, and Zeven (district of Rotenburg), demonstrations sprang up at the depots early in the morning. According to Verdi, close to 2,500 employees are involved in this protest. The companies impacted include:
- KVG Braunschweig (covering southeastern Braunschweig region, Salzgitter, Wolfenbüttel, and Helmstedt)
- Regional transport Hildesheim
- KVG Lüneburg
- KVG Stade (Stade, Buxtehude, and Cuxhaven)
- Verdener Verkehrsgesellschaft
- Nutzfahrzeuge Nordhorn
- Omnibusbetriebe Ahrendtschild in Zeven
- Verkehrsbetriebe Grafschaft Hoya
- Öffis Hameln-Pyrmont GmbH
Employers Unimpressed by Warning Strike
The employers' association for public transport in Lower Saxony (AVN) has spoken out strongly against the renewed work stoppages. Uwe Gaßmann of the German Press Agency expressed his disapproval of the continued disruptions, stating, "In our view, they are unnecessary." AVN argued that the employers had already improved their offer during the third round of negotiations on May 5 and were keen on reaching an agreement with the union.
However, Gaßmann underscored the need for moderation. He emphasized that the bus companies, acting on behalf of municipalities, are bound by existing contracts that do not accommodate significant increases. "Cost increases we can't pass on in ongoing contracts, we can't afford," he added.
Equal Pay Demanded
Verdi rejected the latest offer from AVN as inadequate. The union cited a discrepancy in wages between employees covered by the Lower Saxony Transport Industry Collective Agreement and those under the Public Transport Collective Agreement (TV-N). Verdi argues that employees under the Lower Saxony agreement earn less than their TV-N counterparts, with a difference of up to 3.30 euros per hour in driving service.
In protest, Verdi demands equal pay: "Equal pay for equal work." Verdi negotiator Heiko Groppe declared that the AVN's offer would further widen the pay gap, a situation they cannot accept. Both sides will meet again for the fourth round of negotiations on May 28.
- Labor Dispute
- Strike
- Public Transport
- Cuxhaven
- Employers
- Hildesheim
- Lüneburg
- Nordhorn
- Winsen
- District of Harburg
- Zeven
- Salzgitter
- Wolfenbüttel
- Helmstedt
- Buxtehude
While the wage dispute between Verdi and Lower Saxony's bus companies has led to disruptions in public transportation services across several regions, specific details regarding the current status of the strike and its impact on individual towns and cities are not readily available in the provided search results. It's recommended to consult local news sources or official statements from the Verdi union or transport authorities in Lower Saxony for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
- The Community policy concerning public transport in Lower Saxony is currently under strain due to the labor dispute between Verdi and local bus companies, as Verdi bus drivers stage a warning strike.
- The impact of this strike extends to various towns and cities, including Cuxhaven, Winsen, and Zeven (district of Rotenburg), as well as Hildesheim, Braunschweig, Lüneburg, Nordhorn, Stade, Verden, Salzgiewiler, Wolfenbüttel, Helmstedt, Buxtehude, and Zeven.
- The employers' association for public transport in Lower Saxony, AVN, has expressed disapproval of the union-staged walkout, stating that they are bound by existing contracts that prevent substantial wage increases.
- Verdi, on the other hand, demands equal pay for their employees, citing a discrepancy in wages between those covered by the Lower Saxony Transport Industry Collective Agreement and the Public Transport Collective Agreement (TV-N). This dispute has led to vocational training within the public transport industry being temporarily halted during the strike.
