Labor conflict over pay - Private bus drivers in Verdi launch a fresh strike.
Riders in Hesse ought to be prepared for a full day of restrictions on transport services next week (Wed, 29th May). A labor union, Verdi, is preparing for comprehensive cautionary strikes at private bus operators within the territory on that particular day. In an interview on Sunday, Verdi negotiator Jochen Koppel said, "We're reminding our demands before arbitration begins." The arbitration is set to start in early June, yet no specific date has been announced.
Private radio station FFH reported about the restoration of strike intentions. During Whitsun, bus drivers from the privately-owned operators in Hesse went on strike. Lots of buses were absent in numerous towns. Per Koppel, the latent strikes at noon on Wednesday would commence in the morning at 3:30 a.m. and stretch till the conclusion of the late shift that Thursday evening.
On a side note, last Friday, Verdi agreed to arbitration in its negotiations with the management side but still kept the right to additional strikes prior to the start of arbitration. As per the deal, an arbitration committee with equal representation must be assembled by the end of this month, allowing both parties to name a booster arbitrator.
In the pay disagreement, Verdi is pushing for a 8.5% salary increase, divisible into two sections, for roughly 6,000 personnel. Furthermore, Verdi requests an extra adjustment of 3000 euro each for employees regarding inflation, plus proper break pay. The bosses, on the other hand, have dismissed these demands as not affordable and proposed a 9.3% rise overall in three stages.
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Source: www.stern.de