Public Transport Disrupted Nationwide as Verdi Strike Halts Buses and Trains Until Sunday

Across much of Germany, the public faced significant challenges on Saturday as bus and rail services were severely disrupted due to an ongoing strike organized by the Verdi union. The industrial action, which began on Friday morning, resulted in a near-total suspension of local public transport in numerous cities and regions.

According to reports, the strike impacted almost all federal states except Lower Saxony and Baden-Württemberg. Residents in urban centers such as Berlin, Hamburg, and several major cities in North Rhine-Westphalia, including Cologne, Düsseldorf, and Dortmund, experienced widespread service interruptions. In Berlin, trams, underground trains, and most bus routes were suspended for a second consecutive day, while the S-Bahn and regional rail services operated as usual. In Hamburg, underground trains were halted entirely, and only a portion of bus lines continued to operate on a reduced or irregular schedule.

The strike, which is expected to last until late Saturday night, is the second large-scale industrial action in the ongoing round of collective bargaining negotiations. Over 7,000 employees from 30 municipal transport companies in North Rhine-Westphalia alone participated in the work stoppages. The Verdi union's main demands in these negotiations center on improving working conditions, with specific calls for shorter weekly and shift working hours, longer rest periods, and increased compensation for night and weekend work. In several regions, including Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saarland, Thuringia, and for the Hamburg elevated railway, salary increases are also under discussion.

The employers' associations have voiced concerns over the union's strategy, arguing that the coordinated, nationwide strike does not sufficiently account for regional differences and local circumstances. Transport operators, such as Berlin's main provider, have criticized what they see as a staged escalation, emphasizing the need for more nuanced negotiation approaches.

Verdi, on the other hand, maintains that significant improvements in working conditions are essential to ensure the sustainability of public transport services. The union has stated that without meaningful reforms, the ability to provide reliable public transportation cannot be maintained in the long term. Union representatives highlight the increased workload and stress faced by transport staff, urging employers to respond with concrete proposals for relief and recognition.

The strike action follows a similar nationwide warning strike held in early February, which also brought public transport to a standstill in many areas. Despite ongoing talks, the gap between union demands and employer offers remains substantial, leading to repeated industrial action as negotiations continue.

Normal public transport operations are expected to resume on Sunday morning, offering some relief to passengers who have faced considerable inconvenience over the past two days. Both union and employer representatives have indicated their willingness to continue discussions in hopes of reaching a resolution that balances the interests of employees, transport providers, and the public.