Attention, public transport drivers!

Bus drivers strike on Thursday from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m.

Austria's private bus drivers went on strike on Thursday morning. (symbolic picture)(Bild: Andreas Tröster)

Public transport drivers, watch out: On Thursday morning, employees of private bus companies throughout Austria will be on strike - it is not yet possible to say exactly where. Restrictions are to be expected between 4 and 6 a.m. in particular.

More than 100 locations of ÖBB Postbus, Blaguss, Dr. Richard and sabtours, among others, are affected. In Vienna, a demonstration is planned in front of the Blaguss bus line headquarters. The bus drivers are being supported not only by their trade union vida and the Chamber of Labour, but also by the climate protection organizations Fridays For Future and System Change not Climate Change. 

"Our demands for a noticeable improvement in working conditions (...) are still not being taken seriously. The employees are striking because the employers have left them no other choice with inadequate offers," said Markus Petritsch, chairman of the vida trade union. Among other things, the strikers are demanding fair bonuses for night shifts, predictable and more continuous free time and an expansion of public transport in rural areas.

Shifts of up to 15 hours
"Bus drivers have shifts of up to 15 hours, they drive at night and also at weekends and on public holidays. They don't even get a Sunday bonus. They have split shifts with hours of unpaid breaks in between. They often don't even have access to toilets while on duty," criticized Petritsch. Without more attractive working conditions, it would be difficult to attract additional staff.

Bus drivers have shifts of up to 15 hours, they drive at night and also at weekends and on public holidays. They don't even get a Sunday bonus.

Markus Petritsch, Vorsitzender der Gewerkschaft

"Don't know how many will report for strike action in the morning"
The Austria-wide warning strikes were announced at more than 100 locations from 4 a.m. to 6 a.m. on Thursday. In the morning hours, restrictions on scheduled services are also possible, according to a press release. A spokesperson for the union told the "Krone" newspaper that it will only be possible to provide information about the exact number of participants after the strike: "We will only be able to say anything about the number of participants and the number of people who will miss work after the strike. We simply don't know how many will register for the strike in the morning. That only happens shortly before the start of work."

As reported, the fourth round of collective bargaining for the 12,000 employees has come to an end without a result. Both sides agreed on a salary increase of 3.5 percent and slight concessions were made with regard to salaries.