Salzburg’s bus drivers are considering strikes as they push for better pay and working conditions.
After weeks of negotiations, their union says progress has been slow, and frustration is growing. If no agreement is reached soon, public transport in the city could be disrupted, according to ORF Salzburg.
What’s holding up the negotiations?
While there has been some movement on salary increases, a major sticking point is the night shift bonus. Right now, drivers only get extra pay for work between midnight and 5 am, but the union wants this extended to 10 pm to 6 am.
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“There is currently such a surcharge,” said Kajetan Uriach from the vida union. “But it only applies from midnight to 5 am. It should be extended - from 10 pm to 6 am.”
The union argues that late-night shifts are just as demanding and should be fairly compensated.
Are drivers ready to strike?
The union is checking employees' willingness to support industrial action before taking action. Uriach says they are starting with workplace meetings, which won’t affect passengers much, but stronger measures might follow if talks don’t move forward.
If the fourth round of negotiations doesn’t lead to an agreement, short warning strikes could happen soon. While a complete shutdown of Salzburg’s bus services isn’t expected at this stage, there could still be noticeable disruptions.
“As a first measure, warning strikes are conceivable,” Uriach said. “They will last between one and three hours. They will most likely not completely paralyse traffic. But we want to achieve a good result for the bus drivers.”
A final decision on whether to go ahead with strikes is expected by Friday.
What does this mean for passengers?
This could mean delays or cancellations for Salzburg residents, depending on how negotiations unfold.
However, the union says it’s not looking to cause significant inconvenience but rather to get fair working conditions for drivers.
Salzburgers should be prepared for possible disruptions in the coming days if negotiations don't lead to a deal soon. For now, all eyes are on Friday’s decision to see whether drivers will move forward with strikes.
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