Following a call from the United Services Union (Ver.di), one of Germany’s largest unions, 100,000 employees in around 150 municipal transport companies across Germany went on strike at 3 a.m. to demand better working conditions.
While bus, subway and tram services in the country were largely suspended due to the work stoppage by union members, millions of passengers were affected by the strike that lasted until tomorrow morning.
While passengers had to look for alternative means of transport, the union leadership announced that strikes would be intensified if the demands were not met.
Ver.di general secretary Frank-Michael Munkler said in his statement on the strike that the strikes had started successfully and said: “Buses and trains are currently waiting in the hangars. Now the employers must come to the table in the second round of talks on Monday with a concrete, negotiable offer. If they do not resign, we will continue to take to the streets.” he said.
During the first major 24-hour warning strike on February 2nd, transport was almost completely stopped and traffic density reached record levels.
UNION DEMANDS
Ver.di, which is negotiating on behalf of around 100,000 employees of municipal transport companies, is calling for a shortening of weekly working hours, a change in the shift schedule and higher surcharges for night and weekend services to relieve the burden on employees.
In addition to these demands, direct salary increases are called for in the federal states of Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saarland and Thuringia.
While there was chaos in city traffic, a compromise was reached in the long-standing crisis between Deutsche Bahn and the German Machinists’ Union (GDL).
Railway personnel director Martin Seiler announced in the capital Berlin that there would be no strikes at the railway in the next two years.
According to the agreement, the salaries of railway employees will be increased by a total of 5 percent in two steps and a one-off payment of 700 euros will be made in April 2026. The contract is valid until the end of 2027.
