Public transport employees in Germany launch strikes in several cities
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Employers proposed a 5% salary increase against the 10.5% increase that is demanded by trade unions.
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Subway trains and trams are parked at a depot in Frankfurt, Germany, Friday, March 3, 2023, the day when employees of the public transport went for a one-day-strike (AP Photo/Michael Probst)
German sources reported on Friday that Germany's second-largest trade union Ver.di has launched calls for public action across several German cities to protest low wages and working conditions in the transport industry.
Trade unions have been calling for a 10.5% increase in base wages, which is about an additional 500 euros ($544) per month.
Ver.di issued the call for strikes on Tuesday in multiple cities, including Baden-Wurttemberg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Saxony.
Aktionstag der Beschäftigten im Sozial- und Erziehungsdienst – Am gleichen Tag Warnstreiks im öffentlichen Dienst ⤵️https://t.co/c1rIoYhedB #ZusammenGehtMehr #SozialeArbeit #Frauentag #8März pic.twitter.com/WAeXGBg05P
— ver.di - Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (@_verdi) March 3, 2023
According to the Bild newspaper, about 15,000 people are expected to take part in the strikes, adding that the country has been witnessing nationwide disruptions in public transport since 3:00 am this morning.
The report adds that strikes have been ongoing since yesterday in several cities which include Bochum, Dortmund, Aachen, Munster and Dusseldorf, and Munich.
Read more: Iran expels German diplomats in response to similar action in Berlin
The situation in Dortmund is expected to be particularly exceptional as a football match will be held, as well as a concert by a famous comedian and a motorcycle exhibition, the Bild newspaper states.
The report adds notes that the strikes coincide with another protest held by the Fridays for Future global movement, an international climate movement.
⚠🌍 Hier kommen unsere #Bilder vom heutigen "Globalen #Klimastreik von #FridaysforFuture zum Thema #Verkehrswende in Kooperation mit #Verdi". 📷 Zur #Fotogalerie: https://t.co/RVzasqEKSe#meinka #karlsruhe #news #nachrichten #aktuell #bawü #demo #klimawandel #streik pic.twitter.com/lB4IDYl9EM
— meinKA.de (@meinKA_de) March 3, 2023
Last month, the trade union has organized several strikes that caused over 1,300 flights to be canceled across Germany on February 17.
On Monday, another strike led by airport employees in Dusseldorf, Cologne, and Bonn caused over 300 flights to be canceled.
Regarding wage negotiations, employers proposed a 5% increase against the 10.5% increase that is demanded by trade unions.
Unions reportedly rejected a lump sum payment of 2,500, insisting that their 10.5% salary increase be approved.
The next round of talks for negotiations is scheduled to be held on March 27.
Read more: EU gas provisioning of 15% 'still not safe': German state secretary
