German Government Declines to Comment on Nationwide Public‑Transport Strike, Citing Tariff Autonomy Rights

Germany’s federal government has chosen not to comment on the nationwide public‑transport strike that is causing significant mobility restrictions across the country. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Labour explained that wage negotiations, and consequently the right to strike, are conducted by the social partners and are constitutionally protected from state intervention. “There is wage autonomy. We do not interfere, so we will not comment on this either” the official said in Berlin on Monday in response to a question from the dts news agency.

Chancellor Friedrich Merz, a member of the CDU, has repeatedly called for increased overall work in Germany. In contrast, the trade union Verdi is demanding shorter weekly work hours and reduced shift lengths in the current wage talks.

Deputy government spokesperson Steffen Meyer, however, does not see a direct link. “In the discussion we are having, it is about ultimately raising the overall workload in Germany. That applies in general, but it is entirely independent of respecting the daily contributions that workers make”.