Dispute over wages leads to further cancellations in the private bus sector.

Congested Vehicle Movement - Dispute over wages leads to further cancellations in the private bus sector.

In the ongoing dispute between Verdi and the Association of Employers' Associations Transport Services Rhineland-Palatinate (VAV) over private bus services, another strike has caused problems for commuters and students in Rhineland-Palatinate. Strikes have primarily affected companies in the northern part of the state, including DB Regio Mitte, the Koblenz Transport Companies, and the Zickenheiner bus company. A representative from Verdi revealed this on Wednesday. The strike was planned to continue until the evening, after which a decision would be made on how to move forward.

The Koblenz Transport Companies informed their customers that they should expect disruptions on all lines. They stated on their website that, because the strike was not scheduled in advance, they couldn't establish a special schedule. Connections might fail without prior notice, which could lead to further restrictions.

The ongoing conflict between Verdi and VAV has been ongoing for months. The negotiations recently reached an impasse, prompting Verdi to announce that they would conduct protests, both planned and unannounced, as part of the ongoing bus service.

Verdi is pushing for a salary increase of 500 euros and a one-time payment of 3,000 euros for employees involved in the negotiations. The employers claim that without an "ÖPNV index", only average wage increases of 2.5% are possible. The index, which will be introduced by the Ministry of Mobility, is designed to provide subsidies from the public sector for a more flexible adjustment of personnel costs.

The employers had most recently offered a 1,600-euro inflation adjustment premium and cut the previously two-year contract offer down to one year. Verdi's refusal to settle for a one-time payment of 3,000 euros for their members was criticized by VAV's managing director Heiko Nagel. It's hard to understand why Verdi continues to insist on this specific payment for their members, Nagel said.

"We sympathize with passenger frustration," stated the managing director of the Koblenz Transport Companies, Hansjörg Kunz. He added that requesting a one-time payment exclusively for Verdi's members was unfair and unsustainable. Instead, the companies are calling for a gradual tariff negotiation.

Read also:

1. The United Services Union (Verdi) is involved in a tariff dispute with the Association of Employers' Associations Transport Services Rhineland-Palatinate (VAV) over private bus services, causing strikes in companies like DB Regio Mitte, Koblenz Transport Companies, and Zickenheiner bus company.
2. The ongoing tariff dispute between Verdi and VAV has resulted in a strike in Rhineland-Palatinate, affecting commuters and students in the northern part of the state, including in the city of Koblenz.
3. The Koblenz Transport Companies are warning commuters of disruptions on all lines due to the unannounced strike, which could lead to connections failing without prior notice.
4. As part of the ongoing bus service dispute, Verdi is pushing for a salary increase of 500 euros and a one-time payment of 3,000 euros for their employees, while employers, such as DB, claim that only average wage increases of 2.5% are possible without an "ÖPNV index."
5. The management director of the Koblenz Transport Companies, Hansjörg Kunz, criticized Verdi for their refusal to accept a one-time payment of 3,000 euros and instead called for a gradual tariff negotiation.
6. The ongoing tariff dispute between Verdi and VAV has caused problems for the bus industry in Rhineland-Palatinate, leading to cancellations and disruptions in traffic, particularly in the city of Mainz.

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