Public Life in Berlin Grinds to a Halt Amidst Union Strikes
Berlin, March 10, 2023 – Public services in Berlin have been severely disrupted as a result of warning strikes called by the Verdi union. The strikes have halted bus services, garbage collection, and left streets littered with trash.
Transportation:
The two-day strike by the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), Berlin’s public transit operator, has forced many commuters to drive, cycle, or walk long distances. Despite temperatures hovering above freezing, the streets were more crowded than usual due to the strike.
Waste Management:
Verdi’s strike has crippled the Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR), the city’s waste management company. BSR announced that residual waste, organic waste, and recycling bins in its area of responsibility will likely not be emptied. Recycling centers are also expected to remain closed, and street cleaning, including the emptying of public trash cans, will be significantly reduced.
Demonstrations and Protests:
On Friday morning, several demonstrations took place in Berlin’s Mitte district, leading to traffic delays. Around 10,000 people gathered in front of the Rotes Rathaus, the office of Berlin’s Governing Mayor, to protest.
Placards and banners displayed slogans such as "Who pays the price when you cut our city to pieces?" and "Without us, Berlin stands still – We are worth more." Verdi Federal Executive Board member Christoph Schmitz-Dethlefsen addressed the crowd, emphasizing that the BVG "keeps this city moving, and without you, nothing works here."
Negotiations and Demands:
The BVG strike began on Thursday morning and is scheduled to end at 3:00 AM on Saturday. It stems from ongoing wage negotiations for the company’s approximately 16,000 employees.
Verdi has rejected the latest offer from the employer and has given the BVG an ultimatum until March 21. If the BVG fails to meet Verdi’s demands by the fifth round of negotiations on that day, the union will call for an indefinite strike. This decision must be approved by a majority of 75% of Verdi members in a vote.
"If there is no offer suitable for negotiation in 29 days, I promise you that the BVG will be shut down for more than just two days," declared Sven Globig, a member of Verdi’s negotiating committee, at the Rotes Rathaus.
Verdi’s demands include a monthly salary increase of 750 euros over a 12-month period and the introduction of new allowances.
National Impact:
The strike has also affected public transportation in other German states, including North Rhine-Westphalia and Baden-Württemberg, where Verdi has called for a nationwide warning strike in the public transport sector.
Energy Sector:
The impact of the strikes on Berlin’s energy providers has been relatively minor. "We will not leave people high and dry," stressed a spokesperson for Berliner Wasserbetriebe, where employees have also joined the strike.
Urgent repairs, such as burst pipes, will be addressed immediately. However, non-urgent tasks, such as installing household connections and processing orders and invoices, may be delayed by a day or two.
Both Berliner Energie und Wärme Gesellschaft and Berliner Stromnetz have concluded emergency agreements with the union to ensure that district heating and electricity supply are not disrupted.
Next Steps:
The next round of negotiations between Verdi and the BVG is scheduled for next Wednesday. Following that meeting, Verdi may announce a further strike, potentially of even longer duration.
