Berlin local transport: Warning strike lame buses and trains!

Berlin local transport: Warning strike lame buses and trains!

On March 19, 2025, the Verdi union announced a two -day warning strike in Berlin's local transport. This strike affects Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), which means that almost all buses, street and sub-railways will remain in the depot on both days. The reason for this industrial action is the BVG, perceived as insufficiently perceived, in times of increasing living costs. This already represents the fourth industrial action in the current collective bargaining round with the BVG. The S- and regional traffic remains unaffected by the measures, but an increased volume of traffic and increased demand for alternatives such as taxis is expected. Verdi calls on the BVG to submit a compromise proposal, while the BVG threatened legal steps against the strike.

In addition to the warning strikes in Berlin, Verdi also plans nationwide warning strikes in North Rhine-Westphalia, which are supposed to paralyze various areas of public life. A full -day warning strike in the public service is also carried out in Kassel, which affects buses, trams and daycare centers. On March 14th, the collective bargaining for the public service in Potsdam, which may be pioneering, began, since Verdi and the Association of Officials demand a tariff increase of 8 % or at least 350 euros more per month and three additional free days. In the past negotiation rounds that took place with the BVG, the offer for wage increase of 225 euros per month was considered inadequate.

Details on the collective bargaining

Verdi rejected the previous BVG tariff offer and set a 24-hour ultimatum. The BVG should propose a new negotiation date within a day, otherwise there will be further strike actions. An additional date was agreed for March 12, until then Verdi Warnstreks Castle. The BVG offer provides for a contract term of 30 months and in the following years offers a monthly fee increase of around 100 euros. In addition, the driving service and exchange allowances are to be increased by 125 percent. Verdi, however, demands 750 euros more for the employees, an additional 13th monthly content as well as special allowances for driving service and shift work.

The situation in the public service is also characterized by general dissatisfaction that results from failed collective bargaining at the federal and local level. Employers speak of financial boundaries that cannot exceed their offer, while unions adhere to the fulfillment of central demands. The negotiations concern a total of over 2.7 million employees in the public service in Germany.

If the upcoming negotiations on the agreement on salary issues are still negative, this could lead to other permanent strikes. A new warning strike of the employees at Frankfurt Airport illustrates the tense situation: after such a industrial action, numerous flights had to be canceled. Throughout the work of the work was also announced in Hesse in Hesse. The upcoming fifth round of negotiations between Verdi and the BVG will decide whether the current conflict situation calms down or whether a new highlight is achieved.