Hamburg is experiencing significant disruption as public sector workers take to the streets for a warning strike, organized by the Verdi union. The industrial action began on the night of February 12, 2025, with thousands of employees from various sectors participating, aiming to pressure employers for long-overdue wage negotiations.
The demonstration kicked off Wednesday evening at Hamburg Airport, where workers involved in various operations—including flight handling—joined the strike. Despite some involvement, air travel was reported to operate normally with only minimal delays noted, according to airport officials. "Some employees from various sectors at the airport are involved, for example, from aircraft handling. But we currently have normal operations with isolated wait times," stated a spokesperson from the airport.
On February 13, this strike extends across the city, impacting numerous public services, especially within healthcare, childcare, and sanitation. Notable institutions affected include Asklepios clinics, the Universitätsklinikum Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), and the Elbkinder daycare facilities. Workers from the Stadtreinigung (street cleaning services) planned to stop work until February 16.
Verdi has called for simultaneous demonstrations throughout Hamburg, starting at 9:30 AM. The event is expected to draw attention to the mounting pressures faced by public service employees. "The strike day has begun," echoed multiple reports from dpa, underscoring the unity of the workers seeking change.
The underlying cause of the strike is rooted deeply within the public sector wage negotiation process, which has failed to yield promising results. Verdi is putting forward significant demands, including seeking wage increases of eight percent or at least 350 euros more monthly. They also advocate for increased pay for apprentices by 200 euros monthly, alongside additional leave days to counteract workload stresses.
With regards to educational services, the Elbkinder daycare centers warned parents of potential closures or reduced services for children. "Some daycares and GBS sites can only offer restricted care or may not be able to provide care at all," noted the public entity beforehand, illustrating the challenging balance of ensuring child care amid labor actions.
Healthcare services are also not immune. The UKE has parked non-urgent surgeries until the strike concludes, stating, "Our medical provisions are ensured even during the warning strike period," ensuring emergency care continues unaffected.
Significant disruptions are expected with the state sanitation department; workers are on strike until Sunday, meaning no trash collection will occur during this stretch, save for winter service. Meanwhile, several recycling centers are closing, and mobile hazardous substance collections have been canceled.
One of the key voices from Verdi, Ole Borgard, expressed the urgency of recent negotiations, stating, "Employers now have the opportunity to present a negotiable offer during the upcoming round. If this fails to materialize, we are ready to intensify our labor actions." His comments underline the determination of workers facing challenging working conditions.
With all these changes underway, the strike raises broader concerns about the state of public sector wages and the ability of cities to retain staff. A strong foundation exists, with Verdi estimating about 50,000 city employees involved across various sectors like waste management and education. The previous negotiations highlighted the fractured relationship between public sector employees and their employers—issues compounded by financial pressures and staffing shortages.
To address the concerns of their members, Verdi demands not only pay raises but also the assurance of three additional days off. They are pushing for the establishment of time accounts, allowing workers more autonomy over their working hours—vital changes for employees facing chronic overwork conditions.
The urgency is heightened with the next negotiation sessions scheduled for February 17 and 18, where the future of the public sector workforce's wages will be discussed. Verdi and the civil service union are unitedly contributing to these negotiations, representing over two million employees.
This strike, marked by its extensive participation and the depth of grievances expressed, signifies not only immediate inequalities being battled by public sector employees but also sets the stage for larger dialogues about pay and working conditions across different sectors. The outcome of these upcoming negotiations holds the potential for significant changes within the employment structure of Hamburg's public service entities.