Since Monday, March 27, public transport has been largely disrupted at the call of two unions demanding better wages to fight inflation. Germany had not experienced such disturbances for 31 years.
From our correspondent in Berlin, Delphine Nerbollier
The Gare de l’Est is empty. No train, no passengers on the horizon, except for this young man, apparently surprised not to see any regional trains on Monday: ” I was aware, but I thought the RERs would roll. Too bad, I’ll take a taxi. »
In front of this station, a hundred strikers met to ask for wage increases: 650 euros more per month for employees of transport companies, or a 12% increase. The goal is to go beyond the high inflation which affects Germany, which rose 8.5% in February.
No blocking for the Easter holidays
“ The price increase is huge. And the situation is such that the colleagues do not have enough money at the end of the month. Many of them leave the sector. If we want to retain these employees, we must increase wages. And if we want to ensure the ecological transition of the sector, thanks to the railway, we must offer attractive working conditions “says Cosima Ingolschay, from the EVG union.
These warning strikes take place in the context of wage negotiations. The unions hope to find an agreement, but, if not, they assure it, they will not block transport for the Easter holidays which begin this Friday.
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