Verdi's Friday strike will escalate to a more significant action in Bremen on a subsequent day.
Uncensored Take:
Friday, February 21, 2025, saw Bremen's public transport come to a grinding halt thanks to a strike organized by Verdi. The union's demands? A hefty 8% income boost, monthly pay raises of at least €350, and three extra days off. Others demanding similar treatment are trainees, who should get an extra €200 per month. In high-stress jobs, such as healthcare, additional allowances are sought. Employers, however, think this shit ain't reasonable, dumping the burden of these demands on municipalities at a whopping 14.88 billion euros – an amount they claim is straight up unavailable!
Niklas Benrath, the bigwig at Association of Municipal Employers' Associations, straight-up called the union's demands "not feasible."
Changed Game due to Security Conundrum
Evidently, the day before the strike, there was speculation about further attacks following the events in Munich, scaremongering that led to the cancellation of large demonstration marches. Verdi apparently altered its game plan thanks to the tense security climate.
The actual demonstrations went down at the five operating sites scattered across the airport dam in Neustadt, Sebaldsbrück, Gröpelingen, Vahr, and Bremen-Nord. The size of the initial demonstration in the Neustadt was predicted to hit 600, yet actual numbers were closer to 200 union members turning up intermittently.
Attack Fears or Paranoia?
What's particularly intriguing in this scenario is the plan for a 24-hour strike with two protest marches, scheduled for the following Tuesday, alongside additional employee participation from various public sectors and an estimated 2,000 participants. Those targeted include Kita Bremen, Gesundheit Nord, Umweltbetriebe Bremen, Werkstatt and Theater Bremen, SWB, the Water and Shipping Office, Immobilien Bremen, and even those from Bremen baths – although they're currently engrossed in their own wage discussions.
Demonstration marches are set to follow the BSAG strike at the operating sites.
Ace up the Sleeve or Planned Strategy?
Though there was a renunciation of protests the previous day due to "security reasons", a much larger action is scheduled for the following Tuesday. Is this just a calculated move by the union, to ensure they're not perceived as timid? Or is there a deeper roster of tricks up Verdi's sleeve, revealed only in the near future? Their alleged objectives – witnessing increasing workloads and financial pressures – make perfect sense. Their tactics, however, aren't entirely clear at the moment. Maybe Verdi's saving their best move for later – time will tell.
The union, Verdi, unexpectedly altered its plan for a 24-hour strike due to security concerns following events in Munich. Instead of a major demonstration in Neustadt, the actual demonstrations took place at five operating sites across Bremen.
Despite the cancellation of large demonstration marches, Verdi still plans a significant action on the following Tuesday. It remains unclear if this is merely a calculated move to appear bold or if there is a larger strategy at play.
The potential strike and subsequent demonstrations involve various public sectors, including Kita Bremen, Gesundheit Nord, Umweltbetriebe Bremen, Werkstatt and Theater Bremen, SWB, the Water and Shipping Office, Immobilien Bremen, Bremen baths, and even those from the city's municipalities.
The ongoing dispute between Verdi and employers in the industry, finance, business, politics, general-news, crime-and-justice, and sports sectors is marked by increasing workloads and financial pressures, making the union's objectives understandable, even as their tactics remain less clear.
