Berlin, Germany – Public transport in Germany is experiencing widespread disruptions today, Monday,
due to a nationwide strike called by the Verdi services union.
According to the union, buses, trams, and subways will cease operation
at numerous municipal transport companies.
These vehicles will remain in depots for the duration of the strike,
significantly impacting commuting in German cities.
Verdi explained that the strikes will affect almost all 16 German states,
with the exception of Lower Saxony at this stage.
This exception is due to a temporary agreement not to strike that
includes approximately 5,000 public transport workers in Lower Saxony.
Services unaffected by the strike
In contrast, regional and suburban train services operated by Deutsche Bahn,
the German railway company, are expected to continue with minimal disruption.
The state-owned company confirmed that suburban trains in Berlin, Hamburg,
Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne, Nuremberg, and the Rhine-Main metropolitan area,
as well as Deutsche Bahn’s regional and long-distance services,
are unaffected by the strike, as the Verdi union does not represent its employees.
Demands for improved working conditions
These protest actions are taking place within the framework of ongoing collective bargaining negotiations,
which are mostly held with employers’ associations at the municipal level in various German states.
The union is demanding significant improvements to working conditions,
including a reduction in weekly working hours and an increase in rest periods.
In addition, the union is demanding higher bonuses for night work and holidays.
Verdi also indicated that separate wage increase negotiations are currently
underway in the states of Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saarland, and Thuringia.
Furthermore, negotiations are taking place within the Hamburg subway system.
