Bus driver at the limit: threat of strike due to poor working conditions!

Bus driver at the limit: threat of strike due to poor working conditions!

Feldkirch, Österreich - The working conditions for bus drivers in Austria are at the absolute load limit. As the new study "Bus Lenitor: Inside on the Limit" shows, many employees suffer from inadequate employment relationships that urgently require improvements. Over 622 bus drivers: Interior took part in a comprehensive survey carried out in cooperation with the University of Vienna. Almost 83 percent of the respondents stated that their work is associated with great responsibility and high stress, while 91.2 percent also have difficulty arranging work and private life. This is reported by the alliance "We drive together", which is supported by the Vida and Fridays for Future union.

The lack of appropriate break rooms and sanitary facilities during service times is particularly serious. The Vida union criticizes that many drivers: during breaks there are no access to toilets during breaks and their layers can take up to 15 hours, with a large part of the working time unpaid. In Vorarlberg there is a lack of about 10 to 15 percent of the bus drivers required: inside, which is further exacerbated by the growing requirements in public transport, said Reinhard Stemmer from Vida. In the upcoming collective agreement negotiations, which will continue on February 17, the unions are calling for fundamental improvements in working conditions, otherwise from February 20, a first warning strike could occur, as well as vorarlberg.Aorf reported.

urgent need for action

The challenge of finding sufficiently qualified employees is further reinforced by the unattractive salaries and the irregular working hours. Study author Emma Dowling notes that many handlebars: on the inside consider their basic content as acceptable, but they are dissatisfied with the collective agreement regulations, especially with regard to night and Sunday allowances. The survey showed that 95 percent of the bus drivers: on the inside demand better recognition of their professional experience through higher wages. Without substantial changes, many drivers will become more attractive in other, more attractive professions, as is already the case in many areas, including Switzerland. According to ots.at