Strike on the Lower Rhine: Verdi mobilizes against massive restrictions!

Strike on the Lower Rhine: Verdi mobilizes against massive restrictions!

On Friday, February 7, 2025, the Verdi union calls for a comprehensive strike in the public service in North Rhine-Westphalia. The cities of Krefeld, Moers, Kamp-Lintfort and Neukirchen-Vluyn are particularly affected. As the WZ are reported, there are significant restrictions in local transport (public transport) and at the city administration and to be expected from the municipal company Krefeld (KBK).

Already today, on February 5, 2025, the warning strikes begin, which are supposed to continue until Friday. A total of 640,000 employees in North Rhine-Westphalia are called for these actions. The Ruhr24 emphasizes that the warning strikes have massive effects on everyday life. Public transport in particular is severely affected, with failures and delays on buses and trains in numerous cities.

concrete effects

In Krefeld, Stadtwerke Krefeld (SWK) will introduce an "emergency schedule" to maintain bus and rail traffic as best as possible. Nevertheless, further restrictions can be expected. Closets or emergency operation are also possible in the municipal daycare centers. In many facilities, parents have to organize alternative care options, since numerous daycare centers remain closed. The garbage disposal and the street cleaning are also particularly affected, which is also addressed in the Ruhr24 is.

The central final rally takes place in Krefeld in front of the town hall from 10:15 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. The participation of the Sparkassen employees in the strike must be coordinated by the managers, so that the effects on the Sparkassen customers are currently uncertain. However, the municipal company Krefeld expressed itself optimistic and does not expect a significant effect.

claims of the union

The Verdi union makes extensive demands in this year's tariff round. A wage increase of 8 percent or at least 350 euros more per month for employees is sought. In addition, there are higher surcharges for stressful activities as well as an increase in training allowances and internship fees for 200 euros per month in the catalog of receivables. The introduction of a "my-time account" for more flexibility and additional free days for relief are also required. These demands were also recognized in reports of the ZDF as a central component of the negotiations.

The current strikes are a reaction to the unsuccessful collective bargaining and the impression that the employer side does not take the urgency of the situation seriously. Verdi has had numerous challenges in recent years, because around 570,000 jobs are vacant in the public service. This underlines the demand for better working conditions, as well as the ZDF . With the upcoming strikes, Verdi now wants to set a clear sign and find more hearing for the concerns of the employees.

commuter should be prepared for possible inconvenience. They are advised to form carpools or to use the home office where this is possible. Parents of children in daycare centers should find out early to find suitable solutions for care.