Nationwide Warning Strikes Disrupt Public Transport in Germany
Strikes Leave Commuters Stranded in Six States
Since early morning, large-scale warning strikes in the public sector have been causing significant disruptions to public transport in six German states. The Gewerkschaft Ver.di (United Services Union) called on more than 50,000 employees of municipal rail and bus providers in Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate, and Bremen to engage in full-day work stoppages.
The strike affects buses, trams, and subways in the Ruhr area, as well as in major cities like Cologne and Frankfurt am Main. In Berlin, a parallel strike is taking place due to a labor dispute with the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (Berlin Transport Authority).
The impact of the strikes will vary depending on the local public transport network. Some providers have announced emergency timetables. However, Deutsche Bahn, which also operates S-Bahn networks, is not affected.
Union Demands Pay Increases and More Days Off
The Gewerkschaft Ver.di is organizing these warning strikes to emphasize its demands in ongoing collective bargaining negotiations for public sector employees. Ver.di seeks to secure higher wages and more days off for its members. However, recent negotiations with the federal and municipal governments have not produced any significant progress. Talks are scheduled to resume from March 14-16 in Potsdam.
A total of 53,000 employees in 69 companies across cities and districts are affected by the strike. The employers have not yet made any formal offer. The unions are demanding an 8% wage increase, or a minimum monthly increase of €350.
Overworked Employees Facing Dire Situation
"The situation for our employees in public transport is extremely problematic," said Christine Behle, deputy chairwoman of Ver.di, regarding the warning strike in the public transport sector. "There is a severe shortage of staff, leading to a constant increase in work pressure."
Further Strikes Planned Throughout Germany
Following a lack of progress in the second round of collective bargaining for over 2.5 million public sector employees, warning strikes are planned nationwide in the coming weeks. Strikes are expected to affect childcare facilities, public transportation, and waste collection services.
Volker Geyer, chief negotiator for the Beamtenbund dbb (Civil Servants Union), stated, "We will organize warning strikes and protests throughout the country over the next three weeks. This is the only way to force the employers out of their deadlock." Specific details on planned actions were not disclosed initially, but multi-week-long warning strikes are a possibility.
