Wave of strikes threatens: Hamburg's services are facing massive restrictions!

Wave of strikes threatens: Hamburg's services are facing massive restrictions!

Things are simmering in the northern German metropolis of Hamburg - and not just since today. On this January 20, 2026, the dissatisfaction among public sector employees is clearly noticeable. Ole Borgard, deputy regional manager of ver.di Hamburg, expresses concern about the lack of concrete offers from employers in the collective bargaining dispute of the Collective Bargaining Association of German States (TdL). After two rounds of negotiations, the employers' offer remained meager: "inflation compensation plus liquor on top," as Borgard sarcastically describes it. He sees this attitude towards the employees' legitimate demands as disrespectful.

The unions' demands are clear: They are pushing for a salary increase of 7 percent or at least 300 euros more per month. As part of the current round of collective bargaining, which began on December 3, 2025 and entered the second round of negotiations on January 15 and 16, 2026, around 3.2 million employees in the state's public sector are affected. These include, among others, teachers, nursing staff and employees of the police, fire brigade and judiciary. Why is there no willingness to negotiate? The employers, it is argued, view the sums demanded as unaffordable, while the unions harshly criticize this view. Hamburg's Finance Senator, Andreas Dressel, speaks of “astronomically” high demands and points to the strained finances of the states.

Warning strikes across the country

In view of the stalled negotiations, the unions ver.di, GEW, GdP and IG BAU are calling for nationwide warning strikes. On January 14, 2026, the first warning strikes were carried out in seven federal states such as Hamburg, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia, with visible consequences: things were messed up in schools, universities and the fire department. Preparations for future strikes are also having an impact. Burdens in public life are to be expected because, among other things, container handling in the port of Hamburg could be affected and traffic on federal highways would be affected. This shows how great the unions' ability to mobilize is and how serious the situation is.

Borgard made it clear: “Employers can quickly defuse the conflict if serious offers come to the table.” The urgency of the demands is also noticeable among the employees, who are called for a 24-hour warning strike from Monday evening. The effects will be noticeable - from delays in the Hamburg service to limited work on the locks in the Alster and Billere districts.

Future of negotiations

A crucial point lies ahead: the third round of negotiations, which is planned for February 11th to 13th, 2026 in Potsdam. Without an agreement, there is a risk of an indefinite industrial dispute, which could further escalate the already tense situation in the public service. If compromise continues to be lacking, dissatisfaction with employers could lead to ongoing conflict. And if employers wait, the argument for employees that it is impossible to implement the required wage adjustments will gain further weight, especially when the unions consider their ability to mobilize to be good.

The situation therefore remains tense and the next few weeks could be crucial for the future of collective bargaining in the public sector. The ball is now in the employers’ court – significant progress is needed.

For more information on this topic offers ver.di comprehensive insights. Those too Town Hall News continually report on developments in collective bargaining and the associated demands. Also provides daily news Important information is available that reflects the current status of the situation.