Germany is grappling with massive disruptions to public transport following the start of a nationwide warning strike organized by the Ver.di trade union. The protest has affected most federal states, halting buses, trams, and subways in key metropolitan areas such as Munich, Bremen, and Berlin. The action coincides with prestigious Bundesliga matches, threatening transport chaos around stadiums in Dortmund and Mönchengladbach and forcing authorities to appeal for alternative means of transport.
Massive disruptions in cities
The nationwide protest action has halted buses and trams in most German metropolises, causing massive traffic jams.
Demand for a 35-hour work week
The Ver.di trade union is demanding a reduction in working hours for urban transport staff and significant wage increases.
Threat to fans
The strike coincides with Bundesliga matches, making it difficult for thousands of fans to reach stadiums in Dortmund, Munich, and Mönchengladbach.
Germany's urban transport infrastructure faces a major challenge after the trade union Ver.di announced a nationwide protest action. The warning strike has paralyzed transport in many federal states, including Bavaria, North Rhine-Westphalia, and Bremen. The main union demands focus on improving working conditions, including a radical reduction of the work week to 35 hours and real wage increases to compensate for inflation. However, employers grouped in local transport associations (VdV) warn that financial concessions could exceed the budgetary capacity of the industry, which is already struggling with staff shortages. The situation is particularly tense due to the sports calendar. The protest action coincides with high-profile Bundesliga fixtures, including the match between Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich. Chaos is expected around the stadiums, as thousands of fans, who typically use public transport, will have to switch to private cars or bicycles. In North Rhine-Westphalia, during the afternoon rush hour, traffic jams totaling nearly 300 kilometers have already been recorded. Politicians from the opposition CDU/CSU union have already begun advocating for a legal ban on strikes on match days, citing concerns for public safety and the country's logistical efficiency. The German public transport system relies on a dense network of local connections, which are crucial for the functioning of the economy, but since the 1990s, this sector has been under constant cost pressure and attempts at Schumacher-style restructuring. Despite the paralysis, some municipal companies, such as Munich's MVG, are trying to maintain minimal service frequency on selected subway and bus lines, using non-union workers. However, most passengers in cities like Bremen or Nuremberg had to completely abandon public transport. Ver.di representatives do not rule out further escalations if the upcoming rounds of negotiations do not bring a breakthrough on relieving staff, who complain of chronic fatigue and overtime. „Diese Streiks sind ein notwendiges Signal, dass die Arbeitsbedingungen im ÖPNV attraktiv werden müssen, damit das System überleben kann.” — Ver.di representative