Wider expanded warning strikes disrupt public transport in Saxony-Anhalt amidst pay dispute

Warning strikes in Saxony-Anhalt's public transport sector, led by the Verdi union, have intensified, causing disruptions primarily to regional bus and streetcar services, while train services like regional trains, S-Bahn, and Deutsche Bahn long-distance trains continue to operate normally. Verdi demands improved working conditions, including shorter weekly working hours, extended rest periods, and higher night and weekend pay. However, the municipal employers' association of Saxony-Anhalt calls these demands financially unfeasible due to municipalities' tight budgets.

The Naumburg district office confirmed that school attendance remains mandatory during the strikes, although individual schools may offer remote learning options. "The strike is a last resort," said Verdi secretary Benjamin Schladitz, citing the absence of substantial employer offers after two negotiation rounds. Contrarily, Götz Ulrich, district administrator of Burgenlandkreis, stated public service employees are "well compensated" and expressed concern over the financial impossibility of reduced hours with full pay, given existing budget deficits.

The next round of negotiations is scheduled for March 17, with the prospect of further strikes if no agreement is reached. This ongoing labor dispute is significantly affecting daily public transport services in Saxony-Anhalt, impacting commuters and schoolchildren alike.