Since last Wednesday, around 24 former employees of the German ground service provider Wisag have been on hunger strike. This demonstrates against the dismissal of a total of 230 employees. The downsizing, which took place in December 2020, is considered unlawful by those affected.

According to the union-affiliated Worlds Socialists Web, 31 bus drivers are said to be among those fired who have allegedly not received any wages since October 2020. The report also criticizes the fact that the local media ignored the hunger strike of the former Wisag employees.

With the hunger strike, those affected want to draw attention to the fact that they are victims of the corona pandemic. Before the crisis, their jobs were considered safe, but that changed suddenly due to the collapse in demand. The pre-rest measure will be carried out at Frankfurt Airport.

Another annoyance for the bus drivers is that the Wisag company has closed the affected department. The employees are to be transferred to a subsidiary called Sky City Bus. In the eyes of the drivers, however, this should lead to a disadvantage, because they say that they would start again from scratch in terms of seniority. Furthermore, the ex-employees accuse on cardboard signs that Wisag perfected the system through numerous subsidiaries and subcontractors. The company firmly rejects the allegations.

The employment office and the union are also criticized

Another accusation is directed against the German employment office, as the former employees are suing the labor court and need bridging help from the job center. However, under the pretext of Corona, this should repeatedly move the necessary projections backwards. This has financial consequences, for some of the hunger strikers are currently without any income. A situation that shouldn't really exist, but the authorities should insist on strict compliance with the regulations.

Interestingly, those affected also feel abandoned by their Verdi union. The IGL is supposed to support the hunger strike, but limit itself to appeals and petitions to the owners of the Wisag and to politicians. That too is not enough for those affected in the current financially tricky situation.