Train, public transport, airports
Report: Nationwide warning strike planned for March 27th
03/12/2023 11:13 am
The Verdi union has not yet officially confirmed anything, but the railways are said to be working on emergency plans. According to a report, traffic should stand still across Germany on March 27th. Not just on the train.
According to a report, Germany is threatened with a nationwide warning strike in the transport sector: According to information from “Bild am Sonntag”, the Verdi services union and the railway and transport union (EVG) are planning a joint one-day warning strike for March 27th. A parallel walkout in the mobility sector would have far-reaching consequences: In addition to Deutsche Bahn, local public transport, airports and the federal highway company would be affected.
“If we do that, we will announce strikes in good time,” EVG deputy chairwoman Cosima Ingenschay told the newspaper. “Of course we are intertwined with Verdi,” said the EVG negotiator. “We don’t want competition on the backs of employees, but good wages for all employees in the mobility industry.”
Verdi demands higher wages because of inflation
When asked by the newspaper, Verdi would neither confirm nor deny the strike plans. According to information from “Bild am Sonntag”, the train is already working on emergency plans for March 27th.
The next round of negotiations for the 2.5 million public sector employees at federal and local level begins on that day. In view of the record inflation, Verdi is demanding a wage increase of 10.5 percent, but at least 500 euros more per month.
The EVG wants twelve percent more wages, at least 650 euros more per month. The railway has not yet submitted an offer for the 180,000 employees.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the parties will meet for another wage round, an agreement is not expected at this point. Verdi called on health workers nationwide to go on warning strikes for the two days.