The lines that will continue to operate despite the strike include bus lines 106, 114, 118, 124, 133, 161, 175, 184, 204, 234, 275, 316, 318, 326, and 363, as well as night buses N12, N23, N35, N39, N53, N61, N69, N84, N91, N95, and N97. Passengers should check the real-time data in the BVG app or on the BVG website before traveling, as connections may change at short notice. The S-Bahn Berlin is not affected by the strike, as it is operated by Deutsche Bahn. Regional trains (RE/RB) will also continue to run. Alternatively, passengers can use taxis, ride-hailing services such as Uber or Bolt, e-scooters, rental bikes, car sharing, or carpooling. The BVG describes the strike as a “completely disproportionate escalation.” According to the company, collective bargaining negotiations are proceeding according to schedule, while Verdi is escalating the situation without regard for the situation in Berlin.
Photo: Abhijeet Wankhade / Unsplash
This is the second nationwide warning strike in the current round of collective bargaining. The Verdi union is calling for work stoppages in several federal states at the same time, but in some cases only for one day. In Berlin, the issue is not higher wages, but the collective bargaining agreement, i.e., the working conditions of employees. The demands of the employees’ side (Verdi) include more vacation days, at least eleven hours of rest between shifts, higher vacation pay, some of which can be converted into additional days off, and better turnaround times (break times) – also for health and safety reasons. The BVG is demanding that Verdi prioritize its demands so that the most important points can be negotiated first. The union, on the other hand, is demanding a concrete offer from the BVG first.