The service trade union Verdi has called on employees of the Autobahn GmbH to strike, protest, and hold actions on February 23 and 24. The measures target the nine branch offices of the state-owned company, the Berlin headquarters, several highway administrations, and the tunnel dispatch centers in North Rhine‑Westphalia. The goal is to intensify pressure on the employer just before the third negotiation session of the pay round.
“February 23” – The dispatch center for the Elbe tunnel (A 7) in Hamburg is scheduled for a strike. As a result, one lane each direction will be blocked, causing significant delays for motorists. Heavy‑load traffic crossing the Hamburg North Elbe Bridge on the A 1 will not be allowed during the night from Sunday to Monday and from Monday to Tuesday (up to 25 transports per night). A critical service agreement applies to all Hamburg highway units, which should prevent safety risks from the strike.
“February 24” – Verdi urges all employees at the ten administrative sites (branch offices and headquarters) of the Autobahn GmbH to go on a full‑day strike. In North Rhine‑Westphalia, the tunnel dispatch centers in Hamm/Westfalen and Duisburg and the traffic center in Leverkusen are also to be shut down, which may again disrupt highway traffic.
Verdi’s negotiation leader Oliver Bandosz said on Thursday, “So far the negotiations have been a grueling round with little progress. We are hoping the Autobahn GmbH will understand the clear messages from employees and improve its offer to become negotiable. Only then can we move forward”.
The upcoming talks between Verdi and the federal Autobahn GmbH are scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday next week in Berlin. Verdi demands a 7 % salary increase for the 14 000 employees, a minimum of €300 extra per month, and the same increase for junior staff over a twelve‑month period. The union points to roughly 1 000 unfilled positions and the extensive rehabilitation required for Germany’s highway system, arguing that motivated and qualified professionals will only stay if wages and working conditions are attractive.