Photo: Verdi NRW

German transport unions will go on strike today as they demand higher wages to offset the impact of sustained inflation.

This strike follows purchasing power related strikes in other areas of Germany’s public sector over the last few months. Inflation in Germany hit 8.7% in February 2023, and the economy has been acutely feeling the effects of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.  The transport strike are being led by the EVG and Verdi unions, who are demanding between 10.5 and 12% increases in monthly salaries for the workers they represent. Employers, largely from public and state enterprises are hesitant to raise pay and have counter-offered significantly smaller increases than demanded, calling the unions’ demands unreasonable and not conducive to strengthening the public service.

Given the success of other unions, such as those representing postal workers, in securing pay raises for their members, expect that the EVG-Verdi strike will be successful in securing pay raises as well, albeit lower than what they are demanding. Expect also that inflation in Germany will not ease soon, and that similar strikes will likely occur in the coming months.