Warning Strikes in the News Ticker
Warning Strike at Private Buses
Frankfurt Expects Cancellations
Thorsten Niemeyer
After the warning strike on Thursday, the situation in Frankfurt should slowly return to normal on Friday. The private bus companies agreed to the demands of the ver.di union and averted a longer strike. A collective round of negotiations in the public service is planned for Sunday, but there is little hope of success.
Ver.di union and private bus companies agree
With the warning strike on Thursday, the ver.di union wanted to increase the pressure on the municipalities and private employers in the public sector. The private bus companies in Frankfurt apparently showed a willingness to negotiate and agreed to the demands of the union. The strike at the private transport companies ended on Thursday evening. The buses are expected to run again as scheduled on Friday.
Further warning strikes possible
We still have a long way to go to reach the municipalities, says Jürgen Bothner, head of ver.di in Hesse. In Frankfurt, Rhein-Main-Verkehrsverbund (RMV) was hoping to run the S-Bahn, U-Bahn, and trams according to the Friday schedule. RMV asked its passengers to be prepared for possible short-term delays and failures. In the event of a warning strike in the public sector, buses could also be affected again.
Collective round of negotiations on Sunday
A new round of collective bargaining for the public service is scheduled for Sunday. Ver.di demands 10.5 percent more wages, municipalities offer 5 percent wage increase. The trade union is now increasing the pressure with warning strikes. However, the employers continue to be confident that they can reach an agreement on Sunday. Otherwise, further warning strikes are to be expected.
