As public transport in Berlin faces another significant disruption, the Berlin Transport Company (BVG) is bracing for a potential indefinite strike, the first since 2008. The strikes are driven by ongoing disputes between the BVG and the Verdi union over salary increases for employees.
On March 21, 2025, negotiations between the BVG and Verdi collapsed without resolution, prompting the union to announce a ballot for an indefinite strike starting on March 26, 2025. Members will have until April 4 to vote, but they require a quorum of at least 75 percent for the strike to be enacted.
Verdi has been vocal about its demands, calling for an immediate monthly wage increase of 750 euros, additional allowances for shift workers, and a thirteenth-month salary. Meanwhile, the BVG has offered a 17.2 percent increase over the next two years, which Verdi representatives have deemed insufficient.
Jeremy Arndt, Verdi's negotiation leader, expressed his frustration at the lack of progress during interviews, stating, “Die Gespräche mit der BVG zur Schlichtung laufen. Wir gehen davon aus, dass in den nächsten Tagen erst einmal eine Schlichtungsvereinbarung steht” (The talks with BVG for arbitration are ongoing. We expect an arbitration agreement to be in place in the coming days).
Despite the potential for arbitration, Verdi remains committed to its planned warning strikes on the 26th and 27th of March. Arndt reiterated that these strikes would continue unabated until a satisfactory resolution is achieved. He declared, “Das vorliegende Angebot ist noch weit weg von unserer Forderung” (The current offer is still far from our demands).
The public sentiment surrounding this issue reflects both frustration and support for the workers. Many Berliners, accustomed to disruptions from previous strikes, are beginning to show signs of annoyance. A young student noted, “Gewerkschaftsstreiks unterstütze ich immer. Ich finde, Streikrecht macht Sinn – sie wollen ja keine Milliardäre werden” (I always support union strikes. I think the right to strike makes sense – they don’t want to become billionaires).
Others expressed irritation at the repeated disruptions to their daily lives. Emma, an 18-year-old with compulsory school attendance, lamented, “Absolut dumm. Ich komme gar nicht mehr hinterher” (Absolutely stupid. I can’t keep up anymore). Meanwhile, residents like Ahmad, 35, who finds the strikes “ziemlich nervig” (quite annoying), have sought alternatives, being forced to rely more on taxis or scooters to traverse the city.
This year's sequence of strikes marks the fifth already, raising concerns among commuters about whether the disruptions will ever come to an enough resolution or if they will become a normal part of life in Berlin. “Die Stimmung ist sehr kämpferisch,” Arndt said, emphasizing the resolve among the union members, indicating a high likelihood of achieving the necessary quorum for the indefinite strike.
The union's position remains that the BVG's proposals do not adequately address the needs of their employees, particularly when considering overall inflation and the rising cost of living. “Es ist richtig, dass die BVG Schwierigkeiten hat, einen Tarifabschluss zu finanzieren,” Arndt noted. He cautioned that failing to adequately compensate workers now could lead to an even worse situation for BVG in terms of staffing and service delivery.
Simultaneously, BVG management has indicated that they cannot offer more without jeopardizing the company's financial stability. The previous labor agreement, established in 2021, is set to expire at the end of this year, marking a critical juncture for the company. The stakes are high as more than 16,000 employees await a resolution that will affect their livelihoods considerably.
As the discussions continue, the possibility of arbitration arises, with hopes that recent dialogue might lead to a compromise. However, with past history of strikes, any resolution will depend significantly on whether both sides can make concessions. Given the current landscape of public transportation chaos, one wonders if a breakthrough will emerge soon.
In the meantime, the planned strikes will unfold as indicated, leading to major operational disruptions. Details regarding which bus lines will operate during this period have already been outlined, with limited services expected. As public transport remains in the spotlight, the path forward for both the BVG and Verdi remains uncertain, testing the patience of commuters across the city.
