Collective agreement for bus drivers: up to 9.7% more wages from July 2025!

Collective agreement for bus drivers: up to 9.7% more wages from July 2025!

There was a completely positive turn in the current collective bargaining in public transport: ver.di and the employers' association of local transport Lower Saxony (AVN) agreed on a new collective agreement in the fourth round of negotiations. This represents a ray of hope for around 2,500 employees who will benefit from the better conditions. Before the agreement, however, there were some warning strikes that had noticeable effects on local transport in Lower Saxony. Transport companies reported considerable restrictions in driving during these strikes, which caused frustration for many commuters.

like [bremen.verdi.de] (https://bremen.verdi.de/branchen-und-berufe/oeffner-private-dienste/+co++11a0c9a 41f0-b1d6-a7778BB6AB), the wages of the employees will increase by up to 9.7 percent. A linear increase of initially 4.0 percent comes into force on July 1, 2025, followed by a further 3.0 percent in the following year. In addition, trainees receive 100 euros per month. These adjustments show that negotiations have achieved a higher degree than many expected in the public service. Negotiator Heiko Groppe von Ver.di emphasized the importance of this result and the "clear perspectives" that are now offered for the employees.

new levels of experience for more attractiveness

The introduction of two new levels of experience, which are planned by 2027, is particularly remarkable. The first level of experience will be introduced on January 1, 2026, followed by a second on July 1, 2027. These measures aim to reduce the gap for remuneration in the collective agreement for the public service (TV-N) and to make the training conditions more attractive in the regional public transport. A one -off payment of 156 euros net for July 2025 will also be a welcome support for the employees, with part -time employees receive a proportionate and trainees.

according to [ndr.de] (https://www.ndr.de/niederricht/Niedersachsen/nach-warnstreik-im-busverkehr-verdi-und-avn-einigeinigung136.html) played a central role in the weeks before the agreement that the union had called up more than 2,500 bus drivers to the warning strike. This led to the fact that both the bus and rail traffic in several cities such as Braunschweig, Stade and Lüneburg were severely affected for some time. The bus companies were tied to their existing contracts and could not simply pass on the additional costs, which led to exaggerated negotiations.

The term of the new tariff degree extends by June 30, 2027, which offers those affected a certain amount of planning security. The ver.di union is optimistic and sees the results achieved as an important basis for future developments in local public transport. This also has an impact on the labor market as a whole, because other regions in Germany, such as Bavaria or North Rhine-Westphalia, have similar developments in the tariff area, where further industrial strensions have already been announced, as also in a report by tagesschau.de can be read.