Published February 27, 2026
Last updated February 27, 2026
German commuters faced heavy disruption on Friday as warning strikes by the services union Verdi brought local buses, trams and U‑Bahn networks to a near standstill across most federal states, while long‑distance rail services were spared after a separate agreement.
Rail deal averts wider breakdown
Deutsche Bahn and the train drivers’ union GDL reached a new collective bargaining agreement overnight, removing the threat of prolonged nationwide rail strikes. Union and company spokespeople confirmed the accord, with full terms to be disclosed in Berlin. The GDL had presented a 40‑point list of demands that included pay increases of up to 8% for members. The deal reported so far includes a general wage rise of 3.8%, increased allowances, improved conditions for trainers and enhanced pension bonuses, though detailed compromises have not yet been published.
Local public transport hit by Verdi warning strikes
Verdi launched coordinated warning strikes affecting municipal transport in most regions from the early hours of Friday. Buses, trams and subway trains were expected to remain largely in depots for roughly 48 hours, with many services planned to resume at the start of operations on Sunday morning. In most areas only a very small number of vehicles were expected to run.
Lower Saxony remains under an agreement not to strike until the end of March, so local transport there was not affected. It was unclear whether further warning actions would be scheduled in Baden‑Württemberg.
Reasons for the action
Verdi is negotiating separately with municipal employers’ associations in each of Germany’s 16 states and is pressing primarily for better working conditions rather than uniform national pay increases. Key union demands include shorter weekly and shift lengths, longer rest periods between shifts, and higher premiums for night and weekend work. In several states — including Bavaria, Brandenburg, Saarland, Thuringia and at Hamburg’s Hochbahn — wage increases and higher salaries are also under discussion.
Talks have reportedly stalled in many regions. Employers say progress has been limited, and Berlin’s BVG criticized Verdi for not clearly prioritizing its requests. Negotiations are proceeding at different speeds across the country, and no immediate breakthrough appeared likely at the time of reporting.
Outlook
The strikes add to commuter difficulties after a long winter, though rail passengers avoided broader disruption thanks to the GDL‑Deutsche Bahn agreement. Coverage will follow further developments, including the full text of the rail deal and any new outcomes from municipal bargaining or additional warning strikes.