The European Transport Workers’ Federation expresses solidarity with ver.di and EVG, as well as all workers across Germany taking strike action for fair wages. Transport workers across all sectors in Europe have made major sacrifices and shown pay restraint throughout the pandemic. They are now being asked to accept wage increases that will lower their standard of living and give up holidays for more “productivity”. This situation is common to most European countries, resulting in an unprecedented wave of strikes in transport over the past year.
Workers deserve wage increases that reflect the rising cost of living, especially food and energy inflation, which have left many struggling to make ends meet. Moreover, greater pressure has been put on workers due to increased demand and staff shortages, leading to reduced services, which will only exacerbate the situation. Increasing pay and providing better working conditions are the only ways to attract more people to a career in transport.
Strikes are always the last resort for trade unions, happening only when dialogue fails. ver.di and EVG jointly called for a strike to send a wake-up call on necessary pay increases for workers in transport and mobility, showing their determination to fight together.
We urge employers to engage in good-faith negotiations to reach a fair and just agreement that meets the needs of transport workers and recognizes the vital role they play in keeping our economies and societies moving. We stand with them in their fight for a better future and will continue to support them in any way possible.