Overview
- The second round of wage negotiations for over 2.5 million public sector employees commenced in Potsdam without an offer from employers, prompting unions to escalate strikes.
- Verdi is demanding an 8% wage increase or a minimum of €350 monthly, alongside additional paid leave and flexible work-hour arrangements.
- Berlin's public transportation will face a 48-hour strike starting Thursday, affecting buses, trams, and subways, marking the longest action in the current dispute.
- Childcare facilities in Leipzig and Dresden are also expected to see further strikes this week unless progress is made in negotiations.
- Municipalities warn that meeting union demands could strain already precarious budgets, with some cities unable to maintain balanced finances.