Longstanding rivalry. Christine Behle, member of Verdi’s management and in charge of the Transport department, told Planet Labor that the rivalry between Verdi (formerly ÖTV) and EVG (formerly Transnet) was more than 25 years old. The two unions have always been fighting, in passenger road transport as well as in passenger rail transport. Thus, bus companies (mostly communal) are traditionally covered by Verdi. However, EVG, born in November 2010 from the merger between the Transnet and GDBA unions (see our dispatch No. 100843), is the largest rail union and therefore very present in this sector, particularly the bus companies (Regiobus) owned by the Deutsche Bahn and operating across the country. “These employees have been affiliated with us for a long time and wanted to stay with us, which caused repeated friction with Verdi” Oliver Kaufhold, EVG spokesman, told Planet Labor. There were also other tensions in the rail industry, where Verdi claimed responsibility for all rail companies except the Deutsche Bahn. “These conflicts were pointless and were keeping us from focusing on our true rival: employers. Now, we want to work together to get more” Kaufhold said.
ong time and wanted to stay with us, which caused repeated friction with Verdi” Oliver Kaufhold, EVG spokesman, told Planet Labor. There were also other tensions in the rail industry, where Verdi claimed responsibility for all rail companies except the Deutsche Bahn. “These conflicts were pointless and were keeping us from focusing on our true rival: employers. Now, we want to work together to get more” Kaufhold said.
Clear division of competence. To put an end to this rivalry, the two unio
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