Germany Grinds to a Halt: Nationwide Transport Strike Paralyzes Cities Amid Deep Freeze

BERLIN, Feb 2 (Reuters) – Germany's morning commute descended into chaos on Monday as a nationwide strike by public transport workers silenced bus depots and left tram tracks empty. The walkout, called by the Verdi union, brought services to a near-total halt in most major cities, forcing millions to seek alternatives during a harsh winter freeze.

The industrial action, one of the largest and most coordinated in the local transport sector in years, involves nearly 100,000 workers from approximately 150 municipal companies across 15 of Germany's 16 federal states. It follows a collapse in negotiations last week between Verdi and municipal employers over a new collective bargaining agreement.

At the heart of the dispute are union demands for shorter shifts, longer rest breaks, and higher compensation for night and weekend work. Verdi argues that these measures are essential to make demanding jobs in public transport more attractive and sustainable. Municipalities, however, counter that they are grappling with severe budget constraints, making significant concessions difficult.

"The strike began as planned this morning," Serat Canyurt, Verdi's lead negotiator, told rbb radio. "We have shown our strength. It is now up to the employers to return to the table with a serious offer." He warned that further industrial action was possible if talks remain deadlocked.

The timing of the strike compounded the misery for commuters, with temperatures plunging below zero across much of the country. In cities like Stuttgart, Karlsruhe, and Freiburg, services were suspended for the entire day. While Deutsche Bahn's S-Bahn urban trains and long-distance services continued to operate, they faced severe overcrowding as stranded passengers sought alternatives.

Tensions have been high in the run-up to the strike. Union officials have accused employers of attempting to erode worker benefits, citing proposals in Berlin that would allegedly require staff to fund service improvements by sacrificing sick pay and flexible working arrangements.

The next round of formal negotiations is scheduled for February 9. The outcome will be closely watched, not only for its impact on Germany's daily mobility but also as a bellwether for labor relations in the country's strained public sector.

Voices from the Ground

We asked commuters and residents for their take on the disruption:

Klaus Berger, 52, Accountant, Munich: "It's incredibly frustrating. I support the workers' right to fair conditions, but this level of disruption feels disproportionate. Many of us have no choice but to get to work, and today that meant a two-hour walk in the ice. There must be a better way."

Anika Schmidt, 34, Nurse, Berlin: "I stand with the strikers completely. These are the people who kept our cities moving through the pandemic, often at risk to themselves. If they say conditions are unbearable, we should listen. A day of inconvenience is a small price to pay for their dignity and fair pay."

Dr. Felix Weber, 41, University Lecturer, Cologne: "This strike highlights a systemic failure. We chronically underfund public services and then act surprised when the system breaks. The municipalities' position is financially understandable, but so are the workers' demands. This is a predictable crisis of political prioritization."

Marta Schneider, 28, Freelance Graphic Designer, Hamburg (sharper tone): "It's absolute madness. This union is holding the entire country hostage. While they strike for shorter hours, the rest of us lose a day's pay or burn annual leave just to get to our jobs. Their 'solidarity' is selfishness dressed up as principle. The city budgets are empty—where exactly is this magical money supposed to come from?"