Nationwide Public Transit Strikes Disrupt Services in Germany

Verdi escalates labor dispute over public sector wages, halting buses and trains across multiple states and affecting millions of commuters.

Public transit services in major German states, including North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, and Hesse, were severely disrupted on Friday due to widespread strikes organized by the Verdi union.
Approximately 53,000 employees in 69 transportation companies participated in the strike, demanding an 8% wage increase or a minimum of €350 more per month, along with additional paid leave.
Commuters faced significant challenges as buses, trams, and subways were largely non-operational, while regional and long-distance trains operated normally.
The strikes are part of a broader public sector labor dispute involving over 2.5 million workers, with no resolution in sight after two rounds of negotiations failed to yield an offer from employers.
Verdi plans to intensify pressure on employers with further strikes in the coming weeks, targeting additional sectors such as municipal childcare facilities and public services.