Mass travel disruption expected as transport union strikes in Germany

Mass travel disruption is expected in Germany for two days as a workers’ union calls for a nationwide strike.

Public sector union Verdi has called for public transport workers in Germany to walk out on Friday, 27 and Saturday, 28 February, to protest for better working conditions and pay.

The strikes are expected to affect buses, trams and local trains operated by more than 100 companies. Around 100,000 employees are expected to take part across the country, including in major cities such as Berlin and Hamburg.

Verdi says local transport workers are under high stress, work unfavourable shifts and see a high turnover of staff.

It is calling for a reduction of weekly working hours and shift times, extension of rest periods, higher bonuses for night and weekend work and higher salaries.

The union told the public that if they succeeded in their strike action, better conditions would result in more staff, which would mean more reliability across public transport.

“Employers still do not seem to understand that public transport cannot function in the long term unless we significantly improve working conditions soon,” Verdi said in a social media post.

“Although we have already had four rounds of negotiations in some cases, little progress has been made in the collective bargaining negotiations for local public transport. Now we are increasing the pressure.”

Strikes are also taking place elsewhere in Europe. A walkout was planned in Italy last week, but due to the Winter Olympics the country’s deputy prime minister blocked the action.

Airline and airport strikes started on Wednesday, 25 and will continue on 26 February, while local public transport walkouts will continue on 27 February.

Further strikes in Italy are also scheduled to take place in mid-March.

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