A warning strike in the public sector led to the closure of the Elbe Tunnel near Hamburg early Friday morning. The one-hour action by the ver.di union, which is fighting for higher wages in municipalities, caused significant traffic jams and disruptions on major arteries during rush hour. The closure affected both tubes of the important tunnel, which carries the A7 motorway under the Elbe River. Traffic could only resume after the strike ended around 08:00.
One-Hour Strike at the Tunnel
Union members blocked both tubes of the Elbe Tunnel from approximately 07:00 to 08:00 to protest for higher collective bargaining wages.
Massive Traffic Disruptions
The closure of this crucial bottleneck on the A7 led to long traffic jams and congested traffic during the morning rush hour.
Wage Dispute in the Public Sector
The action is part of the current wave of warning strikes by ver.di in the ongoing wage round for municipalities and the state.
A one-hour warning strike at the Elbe Tunnel near Hamburg caused massive traffic disruptions on Friday morning, February 23, 2026. As part of the warning strike by the ver.di union, there were significant restrictions at the Elbe Tunnel, with only one lane per direction available at times. This massively reduced the capacity of one of Germany's central north-south connections during the morning rush hour, leading to significant time losses. The action led to long traffic jams and congested traffic in the Hamburg region. The Elbe Tunnel is a crucial bottleneck for commuter traffic between Schleswig-Holstein and Lower Saxony, as well as for transit traffic to Scandinavia. The strikers were demanding higher wages for employees in the public sector of municipalities and the state. The blockade was lifted around 08:00, after which traffic could only slowly return to normal. The Elbe Tunnel, opened in 1975, is part of the A7 motorway and one of the most important river crossings in northern Germany. With over 100,000 vehicles daily, it is one of the busiest tunnel sections in Europe. Repeated closures, whether due to accidents, construction work, or protest actions, regularly have significant impacts on all of northern German traffic.Today's blockade is part of a nationwide wave of warning strikes by the ver.di union in the current wage round for the public sector of the states and municipalities. In addition to transport companies, other areas such as daycare centers, municipal cleaning services, and administrations are affected by the work stoppages. The union is demanding, among other things, a significant salary increase to compensate for rising living costs.