As of: March 28, 2024, 10:15 a.m
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Kieler Verkehrsgesellschaft (KVG) buses are in the depot. © Carsten Rehder/dpa/archive image
No further warning strikes by bus drivers in Kiel, Lübeck, Neumünster and Flensburg: the union and employers have reached a collective agreement.
Kiel - Commuters are not threatened with any further warning strikes on bus services in the four cities of Kiel, Lübeck, Neumünster and Flensburg. The employer and the union agreed on a collective agreement on Wednesday evening, as the Verdi union and the local employers' association announced. Most recently, passengers had to repeatedly look for alternatives on weekends due to warning strikes.
The collective agreement provides for a gradual reduction in weekly working hours without loss of wages to 37.5 hours by 2028 and one additional day of vacation per year from 2024. According to the union, one additional paid day of rest per year from 2028 will result in a weekly working time of 37 hours. Continuous services by bus drivers should last a maximum of ten hours and shared services should last a maximum of twelve hours. In exceptions, up to 13 hours are possible. The new contract runs until the end of 2025. The regulations on vacation and working hours can be terminated for the first time at the end of 2029.
“That was a lot of hard work, and this compromise is groundbreaking for collective agreements in all local transport companies nationwide,” said Verdi negotiator Sascha Bähring. Working conditions improved significantly.
“Both sides approached each other in the fifth round of negotiations and found the agreed package of measures in a goal-oriented manner in constructive discussions,” said the managing director of the municipal employers’ association, Jan Jacobsen. The deputy chairman of the responsible technical committee, Andreas Schulz, emphasized: “We have gone beyond the limits of what is possible with this agreement.” In times of a shortage of skilled workers, reducing working hours remains difficult. “However, we hope that with the regulations we have found, we have improved the attractiveness of the working conditions, especially those of the driving staff, so that we can acquire more staff, accompanied by intensive training efforts.” The collective bargaining agreement is still subject to the approval of the committees. dpa