Stalled Bus Journeys Caused by Union Protest in Lower Saxony Regions
Disrupted bus services in various areas of Lower Saxony due to labor action - Disruption in bus services reported in various regions of Lower Saxony due to a workers' protest.
Hey there! Commuters in some Lower Saxony zones experienced extended wait times for buses. The United Services Trade Union (Verdi) had announced a one-day work stoppage in multiple regions. Affected areas included Braunschweig, Hildesheim, Lüneburg, Nordhorn, Stade, and Verden. Protests took place at depots in Cuxhaven, Winsen (Harburg district), and Zeven (Rotenburg district) in the morning.
Over 2,500 staff were urged to participate in the strike by Verdi. The companies hit by the strike are:
- KVG Braunschweig (operating in southeastern Braunschweig, Salzgitter, Wolfenbüttel, and Helmstedt)
- Regional Transport Hildesheim
- KVG Lüneburg
- KVG Stade (servicing Stade, Buxtehude, and Cuxhaven)
- Verden Transport Company
- Nutzfahrzeuge Nordhorn
- Omnibusbetriebe Ahrendtschild in Zeven
- Verkehrsbetriebe Grafschaft Hoya
- Öffis Hameln-Pyrmont GmbH
Employers dismiss need for work stoppage
The Lower Saxony public transport employers' association (AVN) finds these recurring strikes unnecessary, as reported by the German Press Agency. The employers provided an improved offer during the third round of negotiations on May 5, aiming to settle the dispute.
However, Gaßmann from AVN emphasized, "it must remain reasonable. Discretion is required." Bus companies, under municipal contracts, cannot afford cost increases that cannot be passed on in existing agreements, he added.
Verdi's Demands: "Equality in pay for similar work!"
Verdi rejected AVN's latest offer, citing disparities in pay between staff covered by the Lower Saxony Transport Industry Collective Agreement with the AVN and those covered by the Public Transport Collective Agreement (TV-N). The difference can reach approximately 3.30 euros per hour for driving services. Verdi is now calling for equal pay: "Equality in pay for similar work!"
With AVN's offer in place, the gap would actually widen, said Verdi negotiator Heiko Groppe. "We must close the wage gap, not widen it. That's why we couldn't accept this offer." Both sides will meet for the fourth round of negotiations on May 28.
Since the enrichment data doesn't offer specific details on this dispute, seeking updates from local news or union statements would provide more context on the demands behind this union protest. This modern clash involving labor unions, wages, and working conditions echoes the broader landscape of labor disputes in Germany, as sectors face challenges due to labor shortages and inflation. Verdi, as a service sector union, focuses on improving pay and working conditions for its members, especially in the public sector.
- The United Services Trade Union, or Verdi, is advocating for "equality in pay for similar work" in its ongoing negotiations with the Lower Saxony public transport employers' association (AVN).
- The strike, which involved over 2,500 staff members, affected several companies providing transportation services in Lower Saxony, including KVG Braunschweig, Regional Transport Hildesheim, and Verden Transport Company. The demand for equal pay is in response to a pay gap between staff covered by the Lower Saxony Transport Industry Collective Agreement and those covered by the Public Transport Collective Agreement.
