The plea from transit workers at BVG is loud and clear: an immediate strike is essential to uphold their rights. Workers have expressed outrage at the recent arbitration outcome, which mirrors the employers’ last rejected offer. An overwhelming 95.4% voted for a €750 monthly pay hike, and this democratic choice must be respected and executed now.
The need to dismantle Verdi union’s bureaucratic obstacles is paramount, as they are perceived to prevent a necessary strike. Many believe the arbitration result is merely a product of the employers’ desires, offering minimal increases that fall short of what workers deserve. The demands of workers for fair compensation and allowances have not been met; the proposals are laughably inadequate.
Various allowances were dismissed or reduced in arbitration, with proposed increases hardly touching the original requests, illustrating a worrying decline in real wages. Verdi’s leadership, notably Jeremy Arndt, is under scrutiny for being too close to management and failing to advocate for workers’ rights effectively.
As frustrations mount, workers question who truly dictates their future—the Verdi bureaucrats or the diligent citizens sustaining Berlin’s transport system daily? The overarching message is clear: time to halt the erosion of wages and reject unsatisfactory contracts.
In light of governmental spending prioritising military over public welfare, the message is amplified that any wage cuts supplementing war efforts will not be tolerated. Understanding this broader political context is crucial for the ongoing struggle for fair wages.
The establishment of the Transport Workers Action Committee heralds a significant step forward, empowering workers to engage directly in negotiations and uphold their rights. The call to action is resounding: collaborate for collective power, for it is unity that keeps the city functioning.
An online meeting on April 10 at 19:00 will provide a platform for cross-industry solidarity and strategic planning against Verdi’s perceived sabotage. Engaging with the Transport Workers’ Action Committee is imperative for those seeking change, ensuring voices are heard and action is commenced. Workers are encouraged to connect and strategise together, with hope of galvanising action to enforce the already decided strike.
Berlin’s transit workers are calling for an immediate all-out strike in response to an unsatisfactory arbitration agreement that closely mirrors an earlier rejected offer by employers. With 95.4% support for a €750 monthly pay increase, workers demand respect for this democratic vote. The Transport Workers Action Committee has been formed to empower workers in this struggle, seeking to counteract bureaucratic barriers from Verdi and to ensure that their voices are not silenced in the face of ongoing wage erosion.
In conclusion, BVG transit workers are determined to implement an all-out strike following a dismal arbitration outcome that barely meets their minimum wage demands. With a significant majority supporting this move, they reject further bureaucratic delays from the Verdi union. By fostering collective action and galvanizing support, transport workers aim to cease the ongoing erosion of living wages and improve working conditions, signalling the necessity for a strong, unified front against management forces.
Original Source: www.wsws.org
