Bus Driver Union Strikes End with Established Fare Agreements - No More Warnings Issued - Enhancements Implemented by the Commission to Boost Quality of Services Offered
Let's break down the latest development in the wage dispute between Verdi and the employers' association AVN, impacting around 2,500 employees at nine bus companies in Lower Saxony. The details are as follows:
Involved Companies
- KVG Braunschweig
- KVG Stade
- KVG Lüneburg
- Nutzfahrzeuge Nordhorn
- Omnibusbetriebe von Ahrendtschildt in Zeven
- Regionalverkehr Hildesheim
- Verkehrsbetriebe Grafschaft Hoya
- Öffis Hameln-Pyrmont GmbH
- Verdener Verkehrsgesellschaft
Wage Increase and Compensation
After more than ten hours of talks, both parties have agreed on a two-stage wage increase, effective from July 1, 2025. The first stage will see wages rise by 4%, followed by another 3% in the year after. Additionally, a net one-time payment of 156 euros will be made. By mid-2027, two new experience levels will be added to the wage scale. Altogether, Verdi estimates an increase of 9.7%. The contract will run until the end of June 2027, with no further strikes anticipated until then.
Verdi's negotiator, Heiko Groppe, remarked, "We've secured a higher increase compared to what's offered in the public sector, while the newly introduced experience levels provide a path for future growth."
Employers' Perspective
The agreement was a tough call, admits AVN negotiator Uwe Gaßmann, as the bus companies, , are under contractual obligations and can't simply transfer additional costs to their municipal partners. Despite the challenges, the long-term deal is positive for all parties involved.
Previous warning strikes by Verdi caused significant disruptions at affected companies and, in some cases, impacted school transport.
Context and Implications
Wage agreements like this typically involve negotiations on salary increases, working conditions, and benefits, often following industrial actions to emphasize employees' demands. To get the most recent updates on this issue, checking the latest news from German labor unions or transportation news outlets is recommended.
The community policy should take into account the recent settlement in the wage dispute, affecting over 2,500 bus drivers across nine Lower Saxony companies. This settlement includes vocational training programs, aimed at fostering professional growth within the industry, which is a crucial element in the long-term financial sustainability of these transportation businesses.
