Disruptions in Local Transport Occur Due to Strikes in Wuppertal, Solingen, and Remscheid on Thursdays and Fridays

In the heart of Duesseldorf, the ongoing wage dispute between ver.di and public sector employers continues to escalate. The trade union, known for its advocacy for fair wages and competitive incomes in the public sector, has announced further strike actions in the coming weeks.

The upcoming strikes are not limited to a single city. In Wuppertal, not only the local transport division but also the entire WSW Group will participate. Similarly, in Dortmund, public transport employers are bracing for the impact of ver.di's warning strike, affecting bus and rail transport.

The core of the dispute lies in ver.di's demand for a 10.5% wage increase and at least 500 euros due to high inflation. However, employers have categorically ruled out this demand, denying a skills shortage in the public sector.

The union's stance is clear: a strong and efficient public sector requires competitive incomes and no real wage losses. This sentiment is echoed in ver.di's calls for strikes by employees of WSW mobil GmbH, Stadtwerke Solingen GmbH - Transport Operations, and Stadtwerke Verkehrsbetriebe Remscheid GmbH.

The first round of negotiations for the public sector by ver.di Duessel-Rhein-Wupper resulted in a lack of serious engagement from employers. In response, ver.di plans to increase pressure on employers to present a negotiable offer during the second round of negotiations scheduled for February 22/23.

The ongoing dispute is having a significant impact on various professional groups, with around 300,000 vacant positions nationwide in the public sector. These vacancies span across professions such as bus drivers, educators, skilled workers, social workers, nurses, and many other areas.

As the negotiations continue, the public sector and its employees find themselves in a precarious situation. The upcoming weeks promise to be a test of wills between ver.di and public sector employers, with the future of the public sector workforce hanging in the balance.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.

Disruptions in Local Transport Occur Due to Strikes in Wuppertal, Solingen, and Remscheid on Thursdays and Fridays