Public services in Berlin under strain as employees in educational institutions, hospitals, and waste management departments stage additional strikes
Tomorrow and the Day After: More Chaos in Berlin's Public Sector
Prepare for another round of chaos as Berlin and Brandenburg grapple with another wave of public sector strikes starting tomorrow, 7th of March, and continuing through Friday. Wage disputes between Verdi union and government employers have left essential services hanging in the balance.
On Thursday, non-medical staff at Charité and Vivantes hospitals will walk off the job. Although routine operations will be delayed, critical procedures like tumor surgeries and emergency care will carry on as planned.
Your trash won't be picked up from Thursday onwards either, as the Berlin city cleaning service (BSR) joins the fray. That means no rubbish collection, no bulky waste pick-up, and all recycling centres will shut down. If your bins are overflowing, you'll have to be patient until your next scheduled pickup—and remember, leaving waste outside closed recycling centres could land you a nice fine.
Friday's strikes will focus on female-dominated professions like healthcare and social work. Verdi is timing these walkouts to coincide with Equal Pay Day (7 March) and International Women's Day (8 March). The union is pushing for an 8% pay hike or, at the very least, an extra €350 per month. But so far, negotiations have stalled.
Berlin has faced several strikes this year, with transport workers also demanding better wages and time off. No more public transport strikes are planned before the 12th of March.
Strikes in the public sector are typically caused by disagreements over wages, working conditions, benefits, and staffing levels. These disruptions can lead to severe service interruptions in healthcare, transportation, education, and municipal services.
As a rider, remember: public services may be affected, so plan accordingly! Keep up with local news sources for the latest updates and adapt to the changing city landscape.
Note: The given information is based on general insights about public sector strikes and their consequences. For specific details about the Berlin strikes on March 7th and 8th, 2025, check local news outlets for accurate updates on causes, impacts, and ongoing negotiations with the Verdi union.
In the midst of continued public sector strikes, starting tomorrow and lasting through Friday, focus shifts to female-dominated professions, such as healthcare and social work, aiming to advocate for improved women's health and workplace wellness, specifically pushing for an 8% pay hike or an additional €350 per month. Meanwhile, the ongoing disputes also impact health and wellness by disrupting essential services like trash collection and recycling centers starting Thursday.
