Public transport employees in Frankfurt, Kiel, and other regions across Germany are striking in response to failed negotiations for better wages and working conditions.
The strikes, called by the union Verdi, began on Tuesday, March 11, 2025, and are set to continue until Thursday, March 13, 2025, in Frankfurt. All subway and streetcar lines in the city are expected to be canceled for this three-day period, causing significant disruptions to the daily commute for thousands.
Verdi is demanding an 8% pay increase, a minimum raise of 350 euros per month, and three additional days off for its members. Furthermore, the union seeks to establish a flexible time account that would allow for greater control over working hours. This includes demands for a rise in training allowances and stipends for interns, by 200 euros each.
A major demonstration is scheduled for Tuesday, March 11, 2025, in Frankfurt, with additional actions planned in Kassel on Wednesday, March 12, 2025. The affected transport companies in Frankfurt include the Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt (VGF) and ESWE Verkehr, as well as additional services in Wiesbaden and Offenbach. The Kassel transport company is also set to strike.
Christine Behle, the Deputy Chair of Verdi, remarked, "The situation of employees in public transport is extraordinarily problematic. There is far too little staff, leading to constant increases in workload." She highlighted how this precarious employment situation is contributing to frequent absenteeism, further exacerbating the delays in transport services.
As the situation escalated, Jens Ahäuser, Tarifkoordinator for Verdi Hessen, expressed frustration over the lack of proposals from employers, stating, "Under the current societal framework conditions, a quick negotiation solution would have been the better path. This chance has already been missed in the second round of negotiations, where no offer was made." The demands, they argue, are not just for better pay, but also recognition of the hard work and essential services provided by these public workers.
Negotiations were supposed to continue in Potsdam in mid-March after the strikes, however, all signs lead to the need for urgent action as the employees feel their concerns are not being adequately addressed. The presence of stress due to low pay and heavy workloads has led to a rise in sick days, consequently reducing transport options for everyday commuters.
In parallel, Kiel saw a similar action on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, where all public service employees of the federal government and local municipalities took to the streets after the negotiation talks collapsed after a third round. Manuel Gellenthin, the regional manager of Verdi, described the need for this action as vital to engage with employees about the disrespectful treatment by employers.
"We are hosting a joint strike breakfast and an information event starting at 8:30 a.m. on the Nordmarksportfeld," Gellenthin noted. Considering the breakdown of negotiations, he stressed that this effort is not simply ceremonial; it is a method of pushing back against what is perceived as inadequate employer responses. After the conciliation process, which prohibits strikes from March 20, 2025, some members may face decisions on whether to accept any forthcoming recommendations from the conciliators.
Similarly, in the districts of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Verdi has announced further warning strikes due to the ongoing failures to negotiate satisfactory increases. The union is currently conducting a ballot on whether these warning strikes will transition into indefinite strikes if employers fail to respond by the new deadline of March 19, 2025. Sascha Bähring, the lead negotiator for Verdi Nord warned, "We are giving the employer side until March 19 at 6 p.m. to put forward an acceptable offer. After that point, the ballot on indefinite strikes will be evaluated, potentially leading to more extensive action by our members."
Under current plans, despite the strikes, a limited emergency service schedule will operate in some areas. In Nordwestmecklenburg, several bus lines will still run, albeit heavily modified due to ongoing illness and staffing shortages, while services in Schwerin will be fully halted.
The municipal employers’ association criticized the ongoing measures, expressing that they found the actions disproportionate. They point out that an improved offer had previously been made, which proposed retroactive pay increases from January 1, 2025.
As the situation progresses, the pressure from the union seems to be mounting. They argue that the necessity for adjustments come not just from a financial standpoint but from a fundamental respect for the labor force that keeps essential public services running. Overall, this pivotal moment in the ongoing negotiations signifies a crucial call to address the needs of public servants across all sectors and challenges the employers to take meaningful steps forward as talks continue.
