Those who can work from home on Mondays are in luck. However, for passengers and travellers, this day promises to be nervous and tiring: almost all public transport will be at a standstill.;
Those who can work from home on Mondays are in luck. However, for passengers and travellers, this day promises to be nervous and tiring: almost all public transport will be at a standstill due to a warning strike by the Verdi and EVG unions. Intercity and regional rail transport is affected, as well as local public transport in several federal states and almost all airports. What do travelers need to know and what’s next?
The Railway and Transport Union (EVG) is calling on around 230,000 workers from around 50 railway companies to go on strike. In this regard, rail communication in Germany will come to an almost complete halt. Deutsche Bahn suspends long-distance train service. Most regional and commuter trains will also be cancelled, regardless of which company they belong to.
Which transport sectors are still affected?
Local public transport is in the Verdi union area. Buses, trams and metros from the states of Hesse, North Rhine-Westphalia, Baden-Württemberg, Saxony, Lower Saxony, Rhineland-Palatinate and much of Bavaria will pass through the depot on Monday.
At the same time, Verdi deals a heavy blow to German airports – according to the airport association ADV, around 380,000 business and private travelers are prevented from flying. Passenger traffic will stop at Frankfurt’s largest airport. There won’t even be regular flights at Munich Airport on Sunday and Monday.
Delivery will also be limited. Large ships will not be able to enter the Port of Hamburg. In addition, the highway company, which is responsible for the safe operation of national highways owned by the federal government, will suffer.
What awaits motorists?
Roads are likely to be congested, especially in towns where there is a strike, including local transport. Initially fear was expressed that even the tunnels would have to be closed, as they would be out of control. However, the highway construction company dismissed such speculation and cited planned emergency assistance agreements.
When exactly will the main strike begin?
The departure is scheduled for 00:00 on Monday, the total duration of the strike is 24 hours. Stag party leader Martin Burkert urged passengers to make the most of Sunday to get to their destination on time.
What will happen the next day?
In many places, the effects of the warning strike will still be felt on Tuesday. The long-distance Deutsche Bahn, for example, will take time for ICE and IC trains to reach their destination. Therefore, according to Deutsche Bahn, train cancellations are to be expected, especially during the day. Airports are also problematic.
Will there be similar strikes in the near future?
The day of the big joint strike is a long-planned, but initially ad hoc, trade union action. Thus, Verdi wants to increase the pressure on the municipalities and the federal government before the start of the third round of the civil service negotiations. If a mutual agreement is reached in Potsdam, the railway workers’ union EVG will no longer be able to organize new strikes by railway workers in solidarity with Verdi. But given the conflict situation, further strikes in the public sector are far from out of the question.
All of Germany is talking about it:
