Mainz (dpa/lrs) – The collective bargaining dispute in the private bus industry in Rhineland-Palatinate is coming to a head again. After an ultimatum from the Verdi union, the employers have committed to social partnership. But that's not enough for the union.
“We need a collective agreement,” said Marko Bärschneider from Verdi. “Our people expect to know at Christmas that they will receive the promised wage increases and the promised one-off payment of 2,000 euros from January.”
“In order to ensure a sustainable refinancing basis for all transport contracts,” the authorities would have to be intensively involved in finding solutions, according to the statement from the Association of Employers’ Associations in the Transport Industry (VAV) in Mainz.
Verdi sticks to the ultimatum
The union expects the employers to sign the negotiated collective agreement as requested by midday this Friday after it becomes clear that certain cost increases will be offset by the public sector in the future based on an index.
Otherwise, Bärschneider emphasized that the VAV will be removed from the list of representative collective agreements in the state. The collective agreement must then be fought for in each individual company. There will also be strikes.
Months ago, the VAV and Verdi had agreed on a new collective agreement, subject to the public transport index required by the employers. This will now be introduced by the state on January 1, 2025. For example, it takes into account price increases for energy or vehicle maintenance. Payments from municipal clients and bus companies should also be adjusted accordingly.
Point of contention is the opening clause
The special-purpose associations had decided to only use the index for new contracts, according to the employers. “Integration into existing contracts will only take place in exceptional cases if specific opening clauses are in place.” This leads to significant distortions of competition. According to Verdi, however, most contracts have an opening clause.
Bus drivers should get five percent more in 2025
For bus drivers, the collective agreement in 2024 should bring a one-off payment of 2,000 euros. In addition, there will be a wage and salary increase of five percent on January 1, 2025, a further five percent on January 1, 2026 and a further five percent on October 1, 2026.
“Employers expect the public sector to provide fully comprehensive insurance at the expense of taxpayers,” criticized Bärschneider. “They are passing their operational risk onto the backs of their employees.” And this despite the fact that they are “swimming in a surplus of funding.”
© dpa-infocom, dpa:241212-930-316224/1
