Warning strike at BVG: Buses and trains in Berlin stand still!

Warning strike at BVG: Buses and trains in Berlin stand still!

On March 25, 2025, Berliners are facing turbulent days again, since on Wednesday and Thursday to warning strikes at Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG). During this time, buses, trams and subways will stand still throughout the city. Motorists are advised not to drive on bus traces during the strike, as some of them have separate traffic light circuits that cannot be reprogrammed at short notice. The Senate Department for Mobility stated that this was not possible for technical reasons and to maintain traffic safety. Cyclists and emergency vehicles such as ambulances, police and taxis could also be affected by the disorders, which reports additional concerns, such as rbb24

The background of this warning strike is a persistent collective bargaining dispute around the basic content of the approximately 16,600 BVG employees. After the collective bargaining talks have been running since mid -January, the Verdi union said the negotiations for failed. Despite the possibility of arbitration, Verdi sticks to the warning strikes, and the warning strike should start on Wednesday morning at 3:00 a.m. and continue until Friday morning. In the past few weeks, the union has largely paralyzed Berlin local transport in order to draw attention to its demands.

arbitration talks and political appeals

The Governing Mayor of Berlin, Kai Wegner, appealed to Verdi to do without the warning strikes and appealed to both sides to perceive their responsibility for the mobility of the city. Verdi, on the other hand, criticized Wegner's request as "cheeky" and accused politics of having contributed to the stuck situation. While the negotiations between the collective bargaining parties are considered failed, both sides show a willingness to arbitrate, as well as the Tagetchau. The conversations about a possible arbitration were positive, but there are still some detailed questions in the room.

Verdi also plans to be a pre -vote on unlimited strikes, which should also take place from Wednesday. These measures are part of a larger context in which similar strikes have already taken place in the public service nationwide. These affected not only local transport, but also other areas such as waste disposal, daycare centers and airports. In the event of a possible arbitration, external agents are consulted, and the arbitration commission, consisting of Roland Koch (CDU) and Hans-Henning Lühr (SPD), will probably come together on Monday to discuss the open questions.

claims and effects

The unions require an increase in tariff by 8 % or at least 350 euros more per month and three additional free days. In response to this, employers have recently offered an increase of 5.5 % and an election model for free days. However, the original claims would cause additional costs of around 15 billion euros for two years. The course of the arbitration could be crucial to prevent renewed, permanent strikes that, if necessary, are necessary to significantly impair mobility in and around Berlin, as the ZEIT appeals.