Public Sector Strikes in Berlin: Schools and Daycares Paralyzed by Massive Protests

Public sector strikes in Berlin and Brandenburg and the push for higher wages have brought the German capital to a standstill as thousands of workers voiced their frustration over stagnant pay. On Wednesday morning, a sea of approximately 5,000 protesters, led by the Education and Science Workers' Union (GEW), marched from Friedrichstraße station to the Rotes Rathaus. This massive mobilization has crippled local infrastructure, forcing many municipal daycare centers (Kitas) to close and significantly disrupting classes across schools and universities. The walkout represents a high-stakes "warning shot" from employees—ranging from administrative staff to non-civil servant police and fire department personnel—demanding that the government recognize their economic reality, reports NewsToday24 with reference to tagesschau.

The pressure is set to intensify on Thursday as the strike extends into the state of Brandenburg, coinciding with the pivotal second round of collective bargaining in Potsdam. The union Verdi is standing firm on its demand for a 7 percent monthly salary increase, with a minimum guaranteed boost of 300 euros to protect lower-income groups. Employers from the Tariff Association of German States (TdL) have previously dismissed these figures as "excessive," offering no counter-proposal during initial talks in December. With over 231,000 people employed in Berlin’s public sector alone, the outcome of the Potsdam negotiations is critical; it will determine whether the current disruptions in district offices, forestry operations, and senate administrations remain a "warning" or escalate into a broader labor conflict.

Stay connected for news that works — timely, factual, and free from opinion — and insights that matter now: Weather and Influenza 2026: Aggressive "Super Flu" Variant Claims First Lives in Germany