Continued Strike Disrupts Public Transport in Berlin

The ongoing strike in Berlin's public transport system has entered its second day, causing significant disruption for commuters. Hundreds of thousands of travelers are again faced with the challenge of finding alternative transport options as buses, trams, and underground services offered by the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) remain off the roads.

This strike has led to increased congestion on the streets, with a spokesperson from the traffic information center noting that drivers should prepare for delays. Commuters traveling to Berlin's Brandenburg Airport (BER) are advised to allow an additional 30 minutes for their journeys due to technical issues that have resulted in the closure of the A113 highway from Adlershof to Schönefeld-Nord.

The strike, organized by the Verdi union, is part of an ongoing dispute over wages for approximately 16,000 BVG employees. It is the fifth such warning strike in this ongoing labor dispute, which began on Wednesday morning and is expected to last until the start of operations on Friday night.

Negotiations between Verdi and the BVG have stalled, with the union declaring the recent talks unsuccessful and calling for further strikes. Concurrently, a ballot is underway among union members regarding the potential for indefinite strikes moving forward.

Despite the disruption, discussions are also taking place regarding the possibility of mediation, with external negotiators poised to facilitate a resolution. Both parties have expressed optimism that mediation talks could commence soon, with the understanding that no strikes will occur during this process.