A warning strike on Berlin's subway trains, buses and trams is announced on a display board at a tram station on Alexanderplatz. (Archive)
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Passengers of the Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG) will have to prepare for considerable restrictions in Berlin's public transportation system next Monday.
The trade union Verdi has called for an all-day warning strike in the wage dispute with the company. Buses, trams and subway trains in the capital are likely to come to a standstill. The S-Bahn trains are not affected by the strike, as they are operated by Deutsche Bahn.
Last week Wednesday, both sides negotiated with each other for the first time in the current round of collective bargaining. There was no offer from the employers' side. The union is demanding an increase of 750 euros per month. In addition, it wants a 13th monthly salary, a driving and alternating shift allowance of 300 euros and a shift allowance of 200 euros. According to Verdi, the demands amount to 250 million euros per year. In 2023, BVG's personnel costs amounted to around 820 million euros according to the annual report. According to Verdi, a total of six dates have been scheduled for the negotiations until April 10. The next round of talks is scheduled for January 31. BVG has announced that it will then present an offer.
BVG recommends that passengers use the S-Bahn and regional trains as well as sharing services to get to their destination. Lines and services operated by other companies on behalf of BVG are not affected by the strike. This applies to the BVG Muva and all ferries (F10, F11, F12).
The Verkehrsinformationszentrale (VIZ) assumes that passengers who normally use public transport will switch to cars, bicycles or other means of transport. A significantly higher volume of traffic is expected. Significantly longer travel times are to be expected, especially on Berlin's city highways during rush hour.