Public Service Wage Dispute Halts Berlin Public Services
A warning strike within the public sector in Germany has severely impacted public services in Berlin, including waste management, healthcare, and water treatment.
Waste Management Disruptions
The Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR), responsible for waste management in the city, has been heavily affected by the strike. Key services such as waste collection, bulk waste pickup, and recycling facilities have been suspended.
- Test waste and bio bins will remain uncollected.
- Value waste bins may also be affected.
- Recycling centers will likely remain closed.
- Public trash cans may not be emptied due to the street cleaning strike.
Healthcare Impact
The strike has had a significant impact on the Charité hospital, where non-urgent elective surgeries have been postponed.
- Time-sensitive procedures such as tumor operations, transplants, children’s surgeries, and emergency care for stroke and heart attack patients will continue.
- The effects on Vivantes clinics are not yet clear, but no closures are anticipated. Patients will be notified individually if their scheduled procedures need to be rescheduled.
Water and Wastewater Services
Despite the strike, the Berliner Wasserbetriebe (BWB) has assured that water supply and wastewater treatment will continue uninterrupted. Emergency plans have been implemented to maintain these essential services.
Other Affected Services
- Berliner Bäderbetriebe, the city’s public bathhouses, may experience delayed openings or closures.
- Berliner Studierendenwerk has reported potential disruptions in some daycare centers.
- University canteens and the customer service hotline will remain operational.
- Jobcenters are expected to experience minimal impact, with staff coverage for scheduled appointments.
Union Demands
The strike is part of ongoing wage negotiations between the Verdi and Beamtenbund unions and the Association of Municipal Employers (VKA). The unions are demanding:
- An 8% salary increase or a minimum monthly increase of €350.
- Enhanced allowances for demanding work conditions.
Planned Demonstration and Negotiations
On Thursday, the union plans a demonstration from the Federal Ministry of Finance to the VKA headquarters at Spittelmarkt. The next round of wage negotiations is scheduled for February 17th and 18th. The outcome of the negotiations will determine the future of public service in Berlin and other affected municipalities.
