Berlin is facing significant disruptions as employees of the Berliner Stadtreinigung (BSR) initiate another round of strikes, lasting from March 10 to March 15, 2025. The strike, called by the Verdi union, has brought the capital’s waste management services to the fore, highlighting the employees’ demands for fair wages amid rising living costs.
The essence of the strike revolves around Verdi’s call for workers to receive eight percent more wages, or at least €350 per month. Employees at the BSR argue these increases are necessary to keep pace with inflation and living expenses. The pressure continues to mount as garbage bins overflow throughout Berlin, with many residents becoming acutely aware of the central role sanitation workers play in maintaining the city's cleanliness.
From Monday, March 10, the strike began impacting the usual services of the BSR. Notably, street cleaning has been severely restricted. Public waste bins across the city have not been emptied, leading to unsightly accumulations of trash. Overfilled bins are now commonplace, ubiquitous reminders of the workers' stand for rights, and as spring emerges, many residents are compelled to rethink their usual spring cleaning routines.
This strike is not just affecting street cleaning; it extends to garbage collection over the next several days. From March 12 to March 14, none of the residual waste, organic waste, or yellow recycling bins are expected to be emptied. Such interruptions will inevitably lead to considerable inconvenience, with some residents facing up to two weeks without waste collection as services resume post-strike.
The closure of the BSR’s recycling facilities is also significant. All 14 recycling centers will remain shut from March 12 to March 15, meaning no acceptance of recyclable materials during this period. Residents are being advised to withhold any waste deliveries until after the strike concludes. Both the Mechanical Treatment Plant on Gradestraße and the Ruhleben waste incineration plant are also closed during this strike.
On the streets, the impact can be seen particularly around busy areas such as Alexanderplatz and Boxhagener Platz. Overflowing waste bins are prompting frustrated locals to express their confusion on where to appropriately dispose of their waste. Witnesses have reported plastic bags and litter blowing through the streets, tarnishing Berlin's urban aesthetic.
To compound matters, planned neighborhood clean-up days, or Kieztage, scheduled for March 12 through March 15, have been canceled, denying residents yet another opportunity to tidy up public spaces. Local officials are urging the public not to leave bulky waste or electronic trash at recycling sites, warning of hefty fines for illegal dumping.
Despite the temporary withdrawal of services, the BSR has stated it will work to reschedule any missed bulky waste pickups, but customers must coordinate alternative arrangements. The union’s strike has emerged after failed negotiations over wage increases, with Verdi stating the urgency of the workers’ demands must be prioritized.
“We demand respect for the hard work our members do every day,” said a Verdi representative. “These long hours of labor — often without recognition — deserve fair compensation.”
Workers hope these warning strikes will push the municipal government and employing bodies to reconsider their stance on compensation, reflecting the need for comprehensive solutions to labor grievances. With every day the strike continues, Berlin grapples not only with piles of rubbish but also with the larger issue of labor rights amid economic pressures.
Residents have been encouraged to manage their waste more efficiently and refrain from adding to the public mess during this tumultuous week. Local leaders acknowledge the difficulties residents face but stress the importance of supporting BSR workers’ fight for fair wages.
Public waste management, which includes the collection of waste from private residences and public spaces, is integral to ensuring hygiene and health within communities. Through upcoming negotiations post-strike, it remains to be seen if the BSR can come to terms with the union and resolve the longstanding issues affecting its workforce. This week, Berlin’s sparkling image is obscured by strike-related refuse. The city's commitment to supporting its workforce may be the key to restoring order.
Until then, residents will have to navigate the complaints and inconveniences of accumulated waste as they witness firsthand the significant impact of labor actions.