Germany is currently experiencing a significant wave of warning strikes affecting various public sectors, spearheaded by the union Verdi. Approximately 200 healthcare facilities, including hospitals, nursing homes, and emergency services across cities like Berlin, Bochum, and Mannheim, were disrupted as around 20,000 workers participated in strikes. These actions are part of an ongoing dispute over wage negotiations for public sector employees, following two unproductive rounds of talks.
Verdi is advocating for an 8% salary increase or a minimum raise of 350 euros per month, alongside higher bonuses for strenuous work and additional paid leave. The union has also voiced specific demands for the healthcare sector, such as paid breaks for shift workers and improved classification for midwives. In the municipal emergency services, they are pushing to reduce the maximum weekly working hours from 48 to 42.
Besides healthcare, the strike extends to 11 major German airports, potentially leading to significant disruptions in air travel. This includes key transportation hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin. The strikes are expected to result in flight cancellations and delays as Verdi continues its campaign for better wages and conditions.
The strike actions have highlighted the broader issues of pay equity and working conditions, particularly in sectors dominated by female employees, like kindergartens and social care facilities. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for the coming week in Potsdam, where Verdi aims to secure substantial improvements for approximately 2.5 million public sector workers across Germany.
