Strike today: Traffic chaos threatens in Germany
the common walkout by Verdi and EVG is largely paralyzing the transport sector: employees of the railways, local transport and airports will stop working on Monday. At Frankfurt Airport and in München there is no regular passenger traffic. The Deutsche Bahn stops long-distance traffic nationwide. There is hardly a train in regional traffic either, the group announced on Thursday. The Bavarian Regiobahn (BRB) is also affected by the warning strike. According to the BRB, it has drawn up an emergency timetable. This would be used depending on the situation.
The consequences of the strike may even be felt on the German streets. Because the employees of the federal highway company are also on strike, the tunnels are closed. Chaos on motorways and country roads is inevitable.
Traffic should stand still today: strike planning is secret
On Thursday, Verdi and EVG officially confirmed the strike plans for March 27, which several media outlets had already reported on. Strike planning is generally secret. The Bild previously reported that Verdi would neither confirm nor deny strike plans for March 27.
In picture on sunday Cosima Ingenschay, Deputy Chairwoman of the EVG, was quoted as follows: “If we do that, we will announce strikes in good time. Of course, we will link up with Verdi. We do not want competition at the expense of the employees, but good wages for all employees in the mobility industry.”
Warning strike today: Pressure on the federal government increases during negotiations
With the far-reaching effects of a strike in the transport sector, it is clear that the pressure on state employers will increase significantly. The next round of negotiations begins on March 27th, the day of the strike. On the one hand there are 2.5 million employees in the public sector. On the other hand, the federal government and local authorities.
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Verdi wants to achieve a wage increase of 10.5 percent for employees. There should be at least 500 euros more per month. In the face of record inflation, low earners in particular should have better prospects.
Interior Minister Nancy Faeser (SPD) explained in the course of the negotiations that such a wage increase would cost the federal government around 4.7 billion euros a year. So far, it has offered a wage increase of five percent spread over two years. In addition, a one-time payment of 2500 euros.
The situation seems even more difficult in the negotiations between EVG and the railways. The EVG demands 12 percent more wages, at least 650 euros more per month. The railway has not yet submitted an offer for the 180,000 employees. Negotiations will enter the second round on Tuesday. However, an agreement seems to be a long way off.
There has recently been good news about Swiss Post. Verdi and Post were able to agree on a collective agreement for the 160,000 employees. Further strikes are thus ruled out, at least in this sector.
