Berlin’s Public Transport Shutdown Again: 48-Hour Warning Strike Starts Tomorrow at 3 AM
BVG Storms Berlin: Two-day Work Stoppage Commences on Wednesday
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Get ready for another weekend without smooth sailings in Berlin, as the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) employees are gearing up for a 48-hour warning strike starting tomorrow at 3 AM. Expect a return to normalcy by Friday morning at around 3 AM.
The call for the warning strike came from the union Verdi after the fifth round of negotiations in the ongoing wage dispute involving around 16,000 employees ended without an agreement. This makes it the fourth warning strike.
If an agreement isn’t reached during the next round of talks on Friday, Verdi has plans to launch a ballot on unlimited strikes. The S-Bahn and regional transport services will remain unaffected by the warning strike.
Read Full Report [via dpa]
The Nitty-Gritty of the Wage Dispute
This standoff between BVG and Verdi has been a hot topic, with tensions running high. Here's a quick rundown:
- Warning Strike Specifics: The current warning strike, initiated on March 19, 2025, lasted 48 hours, halting all bus, tram, and U-Bahn services in Berlin. However, the S-Bahn and regional transport services managed to keep running[2][3].
- Strike Motivation: The strike was instigated due to disagreements over wages. Verdi is seeking an additional €750 per month for a 12-month term, while BVG offered €375 in stages over a 24-month period[2].
- Bargaining Progress and Hurdles: Although BVG made some concessions, Verdi deems the overall package as inadequate, as it fails to meet the rising living costs faced by employees[2].
- Upcoming Negotiations: Further discussions are set for March 21, 2025. In the event of no agreement, Verdi has threatened to carry out a ballot for indefinite strike action[1][3].
The Possibility of Indefinite Strikes
- Ballot for Indefinite Strikes: In case the negotiations fall apart, Verdi has announced plans for a ballot on indefinite strike action. For the ballot to happen, at least 75% of the members participating must favor the proposal[2].
- Implications: An indefinite strike could lead to severe disruptions in Berlin's public transport system, impacting daily life and economic activities within the city[3].
At this juncture, the situation remains volatile. The outcome of the upcoming negotiations will play a significant role in determining whether the dispute intensifies further. Stay tuned for more updates!
- Despite the ongoing 48-hour warning strike by Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) employees, the S-Bahn and regional transport services will remain operational.
- In the latest round of negotiations, the union Verdi and BVG failed to reach an agreement, increasing the likelihood of an indefinite strike if no resolution is found during the next round of talks.
- Currently, Verdi is planning a ballot to initiate an unlimited strike due to discrepancies in the proposed wage increases, with workers demanding an additional €750 per month for 12 months.
