Large strikes in North Rhine -Westphalia: daycare centers and local transport stand still!
Large strikes in North Rhine -Westphalia: daycare centers and local transport stand still!
Bielefeld, Deutschland - On March 12, 2025, North Rhine-Westphalia occurred in the public service. The unions, led by Verdi, thus mobilize in order to loudly support the demands for higher wages and better working conditions. The aim of these actions is to paralyze large parts of public life in cities such as Bielefeld, Paderborn, Gütersloh and Detmold. In these cities, trams and buses remain in the depots, daycare centers and swimming pools and the garbage disposal is also impaired, such as Westfalen-blatt reported.
In Bielefeld, Verdi expects around 2,000 strikers who move towards three demo trains towards Rathausplatz. The main rally begins at 11 a.m. Commuters have to adapt to nationwide failures in local public transport, whereby the switch to the bike is recommended. However, regional trains and S-Bahnen are not affected by the strikes. Employees from various areas, including local administrations, clinics, schools, and employment agencies, have also participated in the warning strikes.
claims and employer reactions
The union calls for a wage increase of eight percent or at least 350 euros more per month and three additional days off. However, these demands encounter resistance from the employer. Karin Welge, the negotiator of the employer, described the wage claims as "inappropriate" and "unrealistic". Their argument is that the public service should not become a price driver and the municipalities do not have the financial means for these increases. In addition, she criticizes the effects of wage increases on low -income employees and the general interest, as the Süddeutsche Zeitung So far, employers have not submitted a specific offer in the collective bargaining, which is sharply criticized by the unions. In fact, an agreement is in the current round of negotiations, which begins on March 14 and lasts until March 16, as very unlikely. This is based on the tense financial situation, which was also discussed by Federal Minister of the Interior Nancy Faeser.
What's next?
The third round of collective bargaining for the public service is crucial. Warning strikes are expected again if employers are still not willing to present an offer. In this context, it is important to emphasize that employees in the public service, which include more than 2.5 million people, provide indispensable services, both in the area of education as well as in public security and infrastructure. Their commitment is highlighted by the union to underline the need for a reasonable remuneration, as well as Tagesschau reports.
How it goes on remains to be seen. India becomes whether the negotiating parties can find a sustainable solution or whether the warning strikes will increase in the future.
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| Ort | Bielefeld, Deutschland |
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