Private Bus Industry: Results of the Referendum on the Local Public Transport Dispute Expected

Negotiations Between the Trade Union and Employers' Association Were Not Successful

The trade union Verdi and the employers' association of private bus companies have not been able to reach an agreement in the collective bargaining dispute in local public transport. The result of the referendum among the Verdi members is expected on Monday. "We very much regret that we were unable to reach an agreement with the employers' association," said Verdi negotiator Christine Behle on Friday. "The offer of the employers was simply not enough to compensate for the high inflation."

A Strike Could Start as Early as Tuesday

If the majority of Verdi members vote in favor of the strike, a strike could start as early as Tuesday. This would affect bus traffic in many cities and municipalities. The employers' association had offered a wage increase of 8.2 percent in two steps and a Corona bonus of 300 euros. Verdi had demanded 10.5 percent more wages and a Corona bonus of 1,000 euros. According to Verdi, the offer of the employers is "a slap in the face" for the employees.

Employers Warn of Consequences

The employers' association warned of the consequences of a strike. "A strike would hit the companies hard and could also damage the economy as a whole," said the managing director of the association, Oliver Wolff. He appealed to Verdi to reconsider the strike decision.

Negotiations Continue

Despite the failed negotiations, both sides want to continue talking. "We are still open to negotiations," said Behle. Wolff also emphasized that the employers' association is "ready to talk at any time". However, it is unclear whether a compromise can still be reached before the start of the strike.