Passengers in many German cities are facing major disruptions in public transport. The Verdi trade union has called for warning strikes in Hesse, Bavaria, Hamburg, and Berlin. The protests, resulting from a deadlock in wage negotiations, have affected subways, trams, and buses. The situation is particularly difficult in Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, and the Bavarian cities of Augsburg and Regensburg, where most local connections have been halted.

Massive Transport Disruptions

Strikes have affected key metropolises, including Hamburg, Berlin, and Frankfurt, causing the cancellation of hundreds of subway and tram services.

Lack of Wage Agreement

The Verdi union has rejected previous proposals, demanding higher wages and a reduction in weekly working hours for staff.

Alternatives for Passengers

It is recommended to use S-Bahn and regional trains, which are not covered by the current protest action in most cities.

A wave of warning strikes is sweeping through German urban transport systems, paralyzing the daily lives of millions of commuters. The main organizer of the action is the trade union Verdi, which is demanding improved working conditions and significant pay raises for ÖPNV employees. In Hamburg, there was a complete suspension of all subway lines, forcing thousands of students and workers to seek alternative means of transport. In Frankfurt am Main, the largest city in Hesse, passengers must manage without subways and trams, relying only on suburban S-Bahn trains and a few regional buses. The German model of social partnership is based on the autonomy of collective bargaining, but in recent years, in the face of high inflation, wage disputes in the public sector have become increasingly aggressive and frequent.The situation in Bavaria is also critical; in Augsburg and Regensburg, all-day stoppages have been announced, which could last until the end of the week. In the country's capital, Berlin, the third round of negotiations with the operators BVG ended in failure, which, according to unionists, makes further protests inevitable. Verdi representatives describe the lack of offers from employers as „provocation”. 24 godziny — a complete 24-hour paralysis of the subway in Hamburg lasted In Schleswig-Holstein, negotiations were postponed without setting a specific agreement date, although no direct dates for new strikes have been announced there yet. Experts point out that the accumulation of protests with planned roadworks, including the closure of the tunnel under the Elbe in Hamburg, could lead to a complete transport collapse this coming weekend. Passengers are advised to use mobile apps and check schedules in real-time, as many connections are being canceled at the last minute. „Three months after the start of negotiations, the lack of any offer from employers is an open provocation against the workers.” — Serat Canyurt Harmonogram i zasięg protestów: 18 luty — Paraliż Hamburga i Bambergu; 19 luty — Strajk we Frankfurcie i Bawarii; 20 luty — Rozszerzenie na Wiesbaden Media emphasize the difficult situation of low-paid transport workers and their right to decent working conditions in times of inflation. | The press highlights the inconvenience of strikes for citizens and the risk of destabilizing the economy through excessive wage demands by unions.

Mentioned People

  • Serat Canyurt — Negotiator from the Verdi trade union in Berlin.
  • Paul Schmidt — Lead wage negotiator at Verdi, responsible for the public transport sector.