Warning strike at SWEG: Bus drivers are demanding more wages in Karlsruhe!

The ver.di union called for a full-day warning strike at the SWEG bus lines in Karlsruhe. Extensive restrictions on bus traffic in the region can be expected on this Monday, since Sweg is a subcontractor of the Karlsruhe transport company. The warning strikes affect several private bus companies in various regions of Baden-Württemberg.

Last Friday, around 500 people already took part in work in around 30 companies. The places with warning strikes include Schwetzingen in the Rhein-Neckar district and the Heilbronn area. In addition, a company in the Mannheim area joined the strikes at short notice. ver.di calls for an offer from employers in the current tariff round for around 9,000 employees in the private bus industry in Baden-Württemberg.

claims and reactions

The union requires a wage increase of 9 percent and 100 euros more per month for trainees, with a term of 12 months. The Association of Baden-Württemberg omnibus company (WBO) describes the claims as excessive and criticizes the warning strikes carried out. The first round of negotiations on December 18, 2024 ended without an offer on the part of the employer, while the next negotiation round for January 15, 2025 is scheduled.

In addition to the warning strikes in Karlsruhe, extensive campaigns took place in around 30 companies on Thursday and Friday. Around 1,500 bus drivers took part in the first day of strike, while a total of almost 2,000 strikers are expected in both days. The affected regions outline, among others, Göppingen, Geislingen, Neckarsulm, Schwetzingen and the Heilbronn area as well as the proximity to Mannheim.

The warning strikes lead to considerable bus failures in cities such as Schwäbisch Hall, Reutlingen, Tübingen, Waiblingen and Böblingen. In Reutlingen, for example, all lines are affected, including school buses and the quick bus to Stuttgart Airport. In order to minimize the failure of some lines, Stadtwerke Tübingen made an emergency agreement.

The workers criticize the warning strikes as confrontational and not very beneficial for ongoing negotiations, especially after the peace obligation ended on December 31, 2024. This Situation continues to give the negotiations on wages and working conditions in the industry.

Further information on the warning strikes and their effects offer the reporting of SWR and Tagesschau .