Verdi is calling for further warning strikes at SWEG bus companies

The Verdi union is calling on SWEG bus company employees to carry out further warning strikes. The union announced that there will be a strike next week from Wednesday (September 30th) to Friday (October 2nd) in Lahr, Offenburg, Schutterwald, Kehl, Endingen, Emmendingen, Weil am Rhein, Müllheim, Dörzbach, Lauda, ​​Wiesloch, Sinsheim and Gammertingen. With the lines on strike, it is to be expected that there will be largely no buses running again.

The bus companies have already gone on strike twice in the past few weeks, each lasting two days, according to Verdi, “without a reaction from the employer.” Now further warning strikes are being called to finally bring the SWEG to the negotiating table, it was said. The drivers are demanding protection in the event of operational dismissals due to new tenders.

The company considers warning strikes to be disproportionate

The SWEG had already criticized the strike call last week as disproportionate and irresponsible. Verdi is bringing unnecessary acrimony to the ongoing negotiations, group managing director Thilo Grabo explained in Lahr.

Verdi negotiator Frederike DeCoite said: “In the next few months there will be new tenders for several SWEG bus routes.” The drivers were threatened with operational dismissals and the passengers were threatened with significant and long-term restrictions on public transport. “We do not accept that SWEG refuses to negotiate to better protect its drivers and that the state-owned company ignores its responsibility for its employees,” said the trade unionist.

This time too, the warning strike will be announced well in advance so that the company has the chance to prevent the work stoppages by making serious concessions.