German commuters could be facing a day of disruption next Tuesday after public transport workers announced plans to stage strikes to back up their demands for nationwide employment rules.
The Verdi trade union called on Friday for the warning strikes amid calls for a nationwide collective agreement for about 87,000 public transport sector employees.
Employers have so far refused to agree to uniform work regulations, which would replace the patchwork system that has emerged over the years in the nation’s 16 federal states.
Verdi deputy leader Christine Behle criticized the employers, saying that their failure to negotiate made a mockery of transport system workers.
“With our demands, we have set out proposals on how to address urgent questions such as job reductions and the promotion of young people,” Behle said.
The public transport strikes come amid separate talks between Verdi and government employers for a 4.8-per-cent pay rise for a 12-month period, or a minimum of 150 euros, for the country’s 2.3 million public sector employees.
