A wave of warning strikes organized by the Verdi trade union has paralyzed public transport in almost all German federal states. From the early hours of Friday morning, passengers in Munich, Hamburg, Frankfurt, and many other metropolises have been facing massive disruptions. The protests, aimed at securing better working conditions and pay in the public sector, are set to last until Sunday in some regions according to the latest announcements.
Nationwide Scope of the Protest
The action has covered over 15 federal states, affecting almost all major cities except Berlin.
Strike Extension in Leipzig
In Saxony, the protests will last at least until Sunday, exceeding the initial one-day plans.
Wage and Social Demands
Unionists are demanding higher wages, shorter working hours, and additional days off for drivers.
Germany is grappling with one of the largest urban transport paralyses in recent years. The Verdi trade union called for warning strikes that have affected most of the country's key urban centers. The protest action began on Friday morning, leading to the shutdown of hundreds of bus, tram, and metro lines. While each local transport company negotiates separately, the common timing of the action was intended to show the strength of workers in the ÖPNV sector. The most difficult situation is in Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt, where only a few vehicles operated by private subcontractors remain on the routes. The situation is dynamic and varies by state. In Saxony, and particularly in Leipzig, unionists decided to extend the protest until Sunday, significantly complicating passengers' weekend plans. In Bavaria, the strike hit major transport hubs, causing massive traffic jams on roads leading into cities as many residents switched to private cars. Meanwhile, in Bremen, fans heading to football matches were warned to seek alternative ways to reach the stadiums. The Verdi union argues that a drastic lack of personnel and low wages threaten the safety and quality of public transport across Germany. The German system of collective bargaining is based on the autonomy of the parties, which allows unions to organize so-called warning strikes before formal arbitration to exert pressure on employers.Passengers must be aware that disruptions will not disappear immediately after the formal protest hours end. In many cities, for logistical reasons, restoring the full timetable will take many hours, and in some cases will last until Monday morning. Employer representatives criticize the scale of the action, calling it disproportionate to the stage of negotiations, but unionists announce determination until satisfactory wage agreements and improvements in drivers' rest conditions are achieved.
Perspektywy mediów: Emphasizes worker exhaustion, staff shortages, and the need for decent wages as part of the fight for climate and modern transport. Highlights transport chaos, economic losses, and inconvenience for millions of citizens, criticizing the radicalism of trade unions.