Berlin Public Transport Paralysed by 48-Hour Strike
Berlin, March 1 – A 48-hour warning strike organised by the Verdi union has brought Berlin’s public transport system to a near-complete halt. Since 3 AM on Friday, the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), Germany’s largest local transport company, has ceased operations, impacting thousands of commuters and residents. The strike, which also affects other federal states like Saxony-Anhalt, is the second such action in the current collective bargaining round.
In Berlin, buses, trams, and subways will remain out of service until Sunday morning. S-Bahn and long-distance trains continue to operate as usual, as do some bus lines run by other companies. The Berlin Senate Department announced that schools could excuse absences on Friday in exceptional cases due to the transport disruptions.
Focus on Working Conditions, Not Just Wages
Unlike many industrial actions, this strike is not primarily about higher wages. Verdi is negotiating the collective agreement that regulates working conditions. The union is demanding a 35-hour week with full wage compensation, longer rest periods, more vacation days, and higher allowances for night and weekend work.
Serat Canyurt, Verdi’s chief negotiator, told the Tagesspiegel, “The workforce does not feel taken seriously.” The union is urging the employer to present a concrete offer at the next round of negotiations.
Solidarity and Criticism Among Those Affected
A rally at Invalidenpark in Berlin saw between 800 and 1,500 striking workers gather. Ines Schwerdtner, federal chairwoman of the Left Party, stated, “The problem is not the strike. The problem is normal operations. Many politicians and also the people in this city cannot imagine what it means when you don’t have a break to go to the toilet.” She called it an “absolute impertinence” that no offer had yet been made by the employer.
Bus driver Robin Balzat explained in an interview with Tagesspiegel, “The BVG is currently advertising 30 vacation days. Effectively, due to shifts, it’s often only 28 or 29.” He mentioned a twelve-minute delay the previous day, adding, “Two minutes longer turnaround time won’t help me there.”
However, not all affected individuals showed understanding. Eikel Meier-Windhorst, 86, had to walk an hour and a half to the train station. He described the strike as “reckless,” saying, “They’ve already had four strikes in one year.” He noted that in Hamburg, a good agreement had been reached.
Saxony-Anhalt Also Affected
In Saxony-Anhalt, employees have been striking since Thursday. In Magdeburg, no trams or buses were running on Saturday, while Halle implemented an emergency timetable from 5 AM to 8 PM. In Dessau-Roßlau and the Burgenlandkreis, bus services are suspended until Sunday.
The next round of negotiations between Verdi and the municipal employers’ associations is scheduled for March 4 and 5. Verdi has already begun consulting its members to gauge their willingness for further strikes if employers do not present an acceptable offer.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
