Strike in Hamburg: 800 employees demand more pay and better conditions!

Strike in Hamburg: 800 employees demand more pay and better conditions!

In Hamburg, hundreds of public sector employees stopped their work on Wednesday. The ver.di union is intensifying the pressure on employers and demanding a salary increase of seven percent or at least an additional 300 euros per month. This demand seems justified to many, especially in times of rising living costs. Around 800 demonstrators, including educators, firefighters and job center employees, gathered in Bergedorf to stand up for their rights. This rally clearly shows that the employees are up to their necks in water. NDR reports that Hamburg's Finance Senator Andreas Dressel (SPD) described the demands as "astronomical", while the unions continue to stick to their demands.

The dire situation of the employees becomes even clearer when one considers that no result has been achieved in Berlin since collective bargaining in the public sector began on December 3, 2025. Employers stubbornly reject the demands and emphasize that table salaries have increased by 42 percent since 2013, while consumer prices have only increased by 33.6 percent. Another factor that has fueled the skirmish over wages are the previously announced protests in other cities, which could cause unrest, especially in university hospitals and universities daily news reported.

What do the unions say?

The unions are striving for a significant increase in the value of their work for around 2.2 million public sector employees, including over 900,000 collective bargaining employees. In addition to the salary increase, they are also demanding an increase in time allowances by 20 percent and an amount of 200 euros per month for junior employees. These demands must now be reconciled in the negotiations that will take place on Thursday and Friday in Potsdam. Another key point is the term of the new collective agreement, which should be 12 months. However, employers argue that there is a lack of financial resources and warn that the states' ability to act is at risk.

The talks are therefore characterized by enormous tension. Public Service News describes the difficult situation of the municipalities, which find themselves with high levels of debt and an acute shortage of staff. Forced to finance new collective bargaining agreements could break the economic fortunes of some municipalities.

Outlook on the negotiations

The next round of negotiations on February 11th to 13th in Potsdam could set the course for the coming months. The tension between the demands of the unions and the concerns of employers will probably have a decisive influence on the future of the public service. If no agreement is reached, further warning strikes and protest actions cannot be ruled out. We can only hope that a solution will be found in the end that is acceptable to all parties.