Ongoing Public Sector Strikes in North Rhine-Westphalia Escalate
Public sector workers in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) are continuing their warning strikes, with major disruptions affecting essential services across the state.
Essen
The Ruhrbahn public transport system in Essen has halted operations, while the city’s public order and traffic enforcement departments are also set to join the strike.
Düsseldorf
Numerous municipal kindergartens in Düsseldorf will remain closed, along with the city administration, the public swimming pool operator Bädergesellschaft, the Jobcenter, the Federal Employment Agency, and both the municipal and regional savings banks (Stadt- und Kreissparkasse).
Remscheid
City kindergartens, the public transport operator, the city administration, and the energy and water supplier EWR have all joined the strike in Remscheid. The H2O leisure pool is also closed.
Hagen
Warning strikes are underway at the tram system, the utility and transport company, the city administration, the Jobcenter, and the savings bank in Hagen.
Recklinghausen
The city administration, the Federal Employment Agency, the district administration, and the savings bank are set to suspend operations in Recklinghausen.
Upcoming Strikes
Further warning strikes are planned for Thursday in major cities across NRW, including Cologne, Dortmund, Aachen, Herne, Mülheim, and Gelsenkirchen. Once again, public transport and kindergartens are likely to be affected.
Union Demands
The Verdi union, which represents public sector workers, has called the warning strikes to send a "signal for better pay and a more attractive public service in the federal and municipal spheres."
In the first round of negotiations, the union demanded:
- A 10.5% salary increase
- A minimum wage of €12 per hour
- Improved working conditions and reduced workloads
The German Association of Towns and Cities (Städtetag) has rejected these demands, calling them "unrealistic" and "unaffordable."
The next round of negotiations is scheduled for February 17-18, 2025, in Potsdam. A third round is set for March 14-16, 2025, also in Potsdam.
Impact on Services
The ongoing strikes are causing significant disruptions to essential services in NRW. Public transport is severely limited or non-existent in many areas, while kindergartens and other public institutions are closed. Residents are advised to make alternative arrangements for transportation and childcare.
The strikes are also expected to have a negative impact on the local economy. Businesses that rely on public transportation for their employees and customers may experience reduced activity.
Outlook
The outcome of the negotiations between Verdi and the Städtetag remains uncertain. If no agreement is reached, further warning strikes or even full-blown strikes could be called. The situation is closely monitored by the public, employers, and policymakers alike.
