Unyielding transport turbulence: 24-hour BVG strike set for Monday
Tuesday, 8 February
Another Round in Berlin's Transit Game: Verdi Strikes Back on Monday
Berlin's public transit system is bracing itself for another round of disruptions. The Verdi union, locked in a wage battle with Berlin's transport company (BVG), is gearing up for another strike on Monday, 14th Feb.
The looming 24-hour walkout will see buses, trams, and U-Bahn lines coming to a standstill from early morning. Night buses will be off the streets from Monday to Tuesday. S-Bahn, separately operated by Deutsche Bahn, will still be running but expect chaos, overcrowding, and delays.
So why all the fuss? It's all about the dough. BVG has proposed a 15.3% wage hike, spread over four years. Verdi sniffs a smokescreen, claiming the deal doesn't even keep pace with inflation. Their demands? A whopping €750 monthly salary boost, a 13th salary, and extra shift bonuses.
BVG, on the other hand, accuses Verdi of playing escalation games, claiming its proposal offers "planning security" for the company's future. Meanwhile, Verdi maintains workers are losing real wages and won't back down.
What happened last time? Back in April 2025, they managed to cut a deal that likely addressed workers' concerns amidst inflation. However, internal unrest persists. The Transport Action Committee, a new voice within the workforce, challenges Verdi's stance in staff council elections, accusing Verdi of sidelining actual worker concerns[1].
In the grand scheme, while a large-scale strike has been averted, lingering workforce discontent, coupled with internal strife, may impact Berlin's public transit in the near future[2]. Happy navigating!
[1] Internal conflicts within Berlin’s transport workforce could lead to further industrial action and decreased morale - [Link here]
[2] Challenges faced by Berlin's public transport system amidst ongoing wage disputes and organizational issues - [Link here]
- The ongoing wage dispute between Verdi and Berlin's transport company (BVG) has also drawn the attention of the finance industry, as any disruption in the public-transit sector could potentially impact transportation investments in the city.
- In the wake of the looming Verdi strike on Monday, the financial implications of prolonged public-transit disruptions are being closely monitored by industry experts, with concerns over the potential impact on Berlin's economy and the broader transportation sector.
