After four unsuccessful negotiating rounds for a new one COLLECTIVELY TREAT For 12,000 employees in the bus industry, the Union Vida a warning strike on Thursday. Between 4 a.m. and 6 a.m. “We are sending a clear warning signal in the direction of the employer to finally come back to the negotiating table with a meaningful and acceptable offer,” said Vida negotiation manager Anil Zümrüt.
Although it was agreed to compensate for rolling inflation of 3.5 percent, only “marginal but no real relief measures were offered around the working conditions, the union said. The offer of the employers is a “foggy pack”. Relaxies regarding shared services and breaks were linked to loss of income, and there was no movement around an expansion of the night surcharge. Minimal concessions would only have been with the diets, according to the Vida on Monday.
Employer: strikes irresponsible
The employer sees the situation differently. Despite a “fair new offer”, one was confronted with a “blockade keeping and strong strike truck”. Employers offered an increase in wages and diets by 3.5 percent for 2025. In addition, an expansion of the 100%night allowance was proposed by one hour and “noticeable relief for long or shared services in line traffic”. Bus drivers would have received the right to reject reduced rest periods or shared services.
The now announced warning strikes are “ruthless and with serious consequences for thousands of passengers,” said WKÖ chief negotiator Martin Horvath in a broadcast. In addition, the union’s demands are unrealistic and not affordable for the bus industry. “Nobody who is responsible for the bus industry can meet a demand for an almost 10 percent increase in wages, because that would be aid for economic suicide and endangers thousands of so far safe jobs,” said Horvath.