Ver.di declares a six-day strike of public transportation in Germany
Ver.di has announced a public transportation strike scheduled to take place from February 26 to March 2, 2024, affecting transportation services across Germany, except for Bavaria. Approximately 90,000 public transport workers are expected to participate in the strike, which will impact buses, trams, and U-Bahn trains.
The strike will occur in every German state except Bavaria, and while it is slated to last for five days, each local transport association will independently determine its level of participation. For instance, disruptions in Berlin may occur on Monday and Tuesday, while Hamburg may experience disruptions on Tuesday and Wednesday. The specifics of the disruptions are yet to be finalized. However, March 1 is designated as the primary protest day, during which striking workers will rally against current climate crisis policies and working conditions alongside Fridays for Future demonstrators.
The strike, commencing on February 26, is part of a series of warning strikes by public transport workers, coinciding with similar actions in various industries undergoing negotiations for new collective bargaining agreements. Ver.di's demands for local transport employees primarily focus on restructuring holiday leave and time-off arrangements to make working in local transport more appealing and to alleviate labor shortages.
Key demands include ensuring all employees receive 33 holiday days regardless of their association status, granting drivers a 10-minute break after completing each line, mandating a minimum 12-hour rest period between shifts, providing an additional holiday day for every 100 hours worked on a night shift (up to six days), and eliminating unpaid breaks for drivers.