Warning strike in Südbaden: 400 bus drivers demand higher wages!

Warning strike in Südbaden: 400 bus drivers demand higher wages!

Lahr, Deutschland - In South Baden, local public transport stands still! Numerous buses and trains have been affected since Wednesday after the service union Ver.di has accessed warning strikes. On Thursday, Impressive 400 employees of Südwestdeutsche Landesverkehrs GmbH (SWEW) gathered for a powerful rally to underline their demands loudly.

The strikers require a salary increase of 350 euros per month retrospectively from October and an inflation compensation of 1,300 euros. Gabriele Fieback from ver.di Südbaden-Schwarzwald emphasizes the urgency of these measures in the middle of ongoing collective bargaining. "The cost of living is increasing and we need a wage increase," explains Wolfgang Heumann, Chairman of the Works Council at SWEG. The working conditions are challenging, with long working hours and a six-day week, which also exacerbates the situation.

massive effects on local transport

The warning strikes have already led to significant failures in regional local transport. On Wednesday, many buses and trains stayed in the depots, and the situation remained tense on Thursday. The ver.di trade union considered the strike measures necessary after the employers' association only offered a wage increase of three percent from April 2025 and an inflation compensation of 600 euros - an offer that was rejected by ver.di as completely inadequate. The negotiations will go to the next round on Monday, November 11th.

The situation is explosive: Bus driver Michael Mannig describes that his salary is hardly sufficient at the end of the month, even though he and his wife both work full -time. "When I see my pension notice, I get sad," he says. The strikers make it clear that they are fighting for their rights and a fair payment - a struggle that not only affects them, but also the entire region.