Public Transit Strikes Disrupt Services Across German Cities

Ongoing labor disputes in public services have halted transportation and waste collection, with unions pushing for significant wage increases.

Public transport workers in several German cities, including Bochum, Gelsenkirchen, and Essen, staged strikes, leaving buses and trains out of service and impacting daily commutes.
The strikes also affected other public services, such as waste collection and street cleaning, as unions demand an 8% wage increase or at least €350 monthly, alongside additional benefits.
Verdi, the union leading the strikes, organized demonstrations to pressure employers, including a planned rally in Bochum targeting local government representatives involved in negotiations.
Employers criticized the union's tactics, describing the disruptions as excessive and harmful to citizens, particularly families and children relying on public services.
Negotiations between unions and employers are ongoing, with a third round of talks scheduled for March 14, while Verdi has warned of further strikes if demands are not met.