BERLIN — Public transport across Germany came to a halt early Friday as thousands of transport workers began a 48-hour strike.
Local transport workers have heeded the call of the Verdi public sector union to go on strike on February 27th and 28th. The union aims to gain leverage in negotiations involving working conditions, including working hours and shifts, benefits for night and weekend work, and salaries. The exact requirements vary by state.
Subways, trams and buses were either suspended or operated on a limited emergency schedule from 3 a.m. Friday (2 a.m. Japan time). Regular service is scheduled to resume at 3 a.m. Sunday.
Friday morning rush hour caused the most disruption in major cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Stuttgart and Munich, with bus, subway and tram services largely suspended.
Ver.di, one of Germany’s largest trade unions, represents around 100,000 transport employees and is currently negotiating a new collective agreement on their behalf.
The union is demanding shorter work weeks and shift lengths, more rest between shifts, and that employees receive higher pay for night and weekend work.
The strike does not affect public transport operated by Deutsche Bahn, so local and long-distance trains, as well as some suburban S-Bahn trains, will continue to operate. — Agency
Related articles
