Bus passengers in Schleswig-Holstein are facing significant disruptions as a four-day strike by private bus company employees begins.

The strike, organized by the Verdi union, affects all districts in the northern state except for Plön and the independent cities.

Key routes like the X85 line to Puttgarden and the Kielius bus between Kiel and Hamburg Airport are likely to be impacted.

This industrial action follows the collapse of a previously negotiated wage agreement, which the Omnibusverband Nord (OVN) retracted, citing budget cuts by the state government.

Verdi argues that the proposed terms would result in real wage losses for workers, which they find unacceptable.

The OVN, representing around 80 private companies with 1,700 buses, had hoped for a more constructive dialogue to resolve the dispute.