A wave of warning strikes organized by the Ver.di trade union has paralyzed public transport in almost all German federal states. The protests, which began on Friday, affected buses, trams, and subways in major cities such as Berlin, Hamburg, Munich, and Frankfurt. Passengers must also expect disruptions on Saturday, and in Leipzig, the protest action has been extended until Sunday, causing massive traffic jams and transport chaos.
Nationwide Transport Paralysis
Strikes affected most federal states, immobilizing buses, trams, and subways in key metropolitan areas.
Massive Road Disruptions
The lack of urban transport caused giant traffic jams, including 300 km of congestion in North Rhine-Westphalia.
Potential Legal Changes
Politicians from the CDU/CSU union are advocating for restrictions on the right to strike on Bundesliga match days.
German urban transport is facing a serious crisis once again this month. The Ver.di trade union called on employees of local transport companies to walk off the job, resulting in the near-total shutdown of ÖPNV in most regions of the country. Major urban centers, including Frankfurt, Kassel, and Wiesbaden, experienced a drastic reduction in services, forcing residents to use private cars. Consequently, national roads and highways, particularly in North Rhine-Westphalia, were blocked by massive traffic jams, reaching nearly 300 kilometers at their peak. Tensions in the German labor market have been intensifying since the beginning of 2024, related to high inflation and demands for significant wage increases and improved working conditions in the public sector.The situation in Saxony is particularly tense, as protests in Leipzig have been extended throughout the weekend, clashing with planned mass events. In Munich, employees of MVG argue their protest is not only about pay issues but primarily about staff shortages and excessive workloads, which they believe threaten passenger safety. Meanwhile, in Hamburg, despite the subway and bus strike, the operation of the rapid urban rail system S-Bahn was maintained, allowing for a partial easing of congestion. In response to the cyclical nature of the protests, politicians from the conservative CDU/CSU union have proposed legal restrictions on the right to strike. One of the more prominent initiatives calls for a ban on protest actions on days when Bundesliga matches are held, to avoid paralyzing the country and ensure the safety of hundreds of thousands of fans. However, union leaders warn that a lack of agreement on collective bargaining will lead to further, even more severe disruptions in the coming weeks.