Strikes launched by the Verdi union on Monday morning shook public transport across almost every German state. Only about 5,000 employees in Lower Saxony were exempted from the action because the peace obligation still stands there.
As a result, buses, trams and U‑lines were largely out of service in many cities. The walk‑out is tied to the current wage negotiations at municipal transport companies. Verdi is demanding, among other things, a shorter weekly working week, reduced shift durations, longer rest periods, and higher night‑ and weekend‑time premiums. In Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saarland, Thuringia and for the Hamburger Hochbahn, the talks also cover higher wages and salaries.
Altogether, close to 100,000 workers are affected by the strike.
Christine Behle, Verdi’s deputy chairwoman, said that transport staff are heavily burdened by unfavorable work schedules and shift work. She accused employers of rejecting nearly every improvement bid and even proposing several deteriorations in recent talks. Behle warned that such conduct threatens public services and the public’s ability to use public transport.
