Warning strikes in local transport: Chaos in NRW expected on March 12th!

Von Markus Schneiderling

Gewerkschaft Verdi ruft am 12. März zu Warnstreiks im öffentlichen Nahverkehr in Heinsberg auf. Linienausfälle sind zu erwarten.
Verdi union calls for warning strikes in public transport in Heinsberg on March 12. Line failures are to be expected. (Symbolbild/ANAG)

On March 10, 2025, the Verdi union called up to comprehensive warning strikes in local public transport in North Rhine-Westphalia. The planned strikes will take place on Wednesday, March 12th, numerous transport companies in the state. In particular, the provider of West Transport, which operates bus lines in the Heinsberg district, is strike, which will lead to considerable line failures in the entire district.

Despite the warning strikes, most school rides and home trips as well as the sports trips in Erkelenz are not affected and are carried out according to plan. However, the Kückhoven primary school and the Lövenich primary school, which will not receive a school start on Wednesday, are exceptions. For the pupils who attend the Kückhoven School, the journey home on line EK3 will only be possible at 11.40 a.m. The Lövenich School only offers two trips towards Katzem at 1:24 p.m. and 3:51 p.m.

effects on the region

The warning strikes will not only affect the transport of the students, but also lead to general inconvenience for commuters and travelers. Citizens can find out about current information on the line trips during the strikes on the website of West Transport and the homepage of the city of Erkelenz. The measures of the union are a reaction to failed collective bargaining in which Verdi demands a significant increase in wages and relief for employees in local public transport.

Nationwide, more than 35,000 employees from over 30 companies are affected, and the warning strikes are not only limited to North Rhine-Westphalia. According to Ruhr Nachrichten , the strikes are also in other federal states such as Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Lower Saxony and Rhineland-Palatinate scheduled. In total, this affects around 53,000 employees in 69 companies.

Verdi is committed to a wage increase of eight percent or at least 350 euros per month, and additional free days are required. However, the employer side is cautious about what is due to the tense budget situation. The negotiations concern more than 2.5 million employees in the public service and will continue in the next few weeks after the warning strike campaign.

The next steps of the union and the employer are observed closely, since the situation is becoming increasingly challenging for many commuters and students.

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