Finance
Tens of thousands of transport workers walk off job in Germany
Published by Global Banking and Finance Review
Posted on February 2, 2026
2 min readLast updated: February 2, 2026
Quick Summary
A major transport strike in Germany led by Verdi union disrupts commuting as workers demand better conditions. Major cities face transport shutdowns.
Mass Strike by Transport Workers Disrupts Commuting Across Germany
Impact of the Transport Workers Strike
BERLIN, Feb 2 (Reuters) - Commuters across Germany faced freezing temperatures and empty platforms on Monday as tens of thousands of public transport workers walked off the job in a strike called by trade union Verdi, shutting down bus and tram services in most cities.
Details of the Strike
Verdi, which represents nearly 100,000 transport workers, called the strike after talks with municipal and state employers over working conditions stalled last week.
Union Demands and Negotiations
The union is demanding shorter shifts, longer rest breaks and higher pay for night and weekend work even as cities grapple with budget constraints.
Weather Conditions Affecting Commuters
The walkout affects about 150 municipal transport companies in all but one of Germany's 16 federal states, including Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen.
One of the largest coordinated actions in local transport sector in years, the strike began as planned, Serat Canyurt, the leading negotiator for Verdi, told rbb radio on Monday, adding that public transport operators were now expected to return to the negotiating table.
COMMUTERS SEEK ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORT IN FRIGID TEMPERATURES
In Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Freiburg, services will grind to a halt for the entire day, union officials said.
Temperatures fell below zero in much of the country, worsening the situation for commuters forced to seek alternative transportation.
Still, Deutsche Bahn said Friday its urban railway S-Bahn trains in cities including Berlin, Hamburg, Munich and Stuttgart, along with long-distance services, would run as normal on Monday as staff were not represented by Verdi.
Talks between Verdi and employer associations have been tense, with union leaders accusing municipalities of seeking to cut benefits and lengthen shifts.
In Berlin, Verdi negotiators said operators wanted workers to fund improvements themselves by giving up sick pay and flexible hours.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled for February 9.
Union leaders warned that further industrial action could follow if employers do not offer significant concessions.
(Reporting by Kirsti Knolle, Editing by Friederike Heine and Bernadette Baum)
Key Takeaways
- •Tens of thousands of transport workers in Germany go on strike.
- •Verdi union demands better working conditions and pay.
- •The strike affects public transport in major German cities.
- •Commuters face challenges in freezing temperatures.
- •Further strikes possible if negotiations fail.
Frequently Asked Questions about Tens of thousands of transport workers walk off job in Germany
1What is the impact of strikes on the economy?
Strikes can disrupt economic activities by halting production and services, leading to financial losses for businesses and affecting the livelihoods of workers and consumers.
