Traffic chaos in Lower Saxony: Warning strikes paralyze the motorway network!

Traffic chaos in Lower Saxony: Warning strikes paralyze the motorway network!

On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, warning strikes in the public sector in Lower Saxony caused significant traffic disruptions. How NDR reported, around 400 employees of Autobahn GmbH and the road maintenance depots demonstrated in Hanover to draw attention to their demands. These arise from a current collective bargaining dispute that is causing discussions across Germany.

The traffic disruptions were clearly noticeable: the swinging bascule bridge near Stade was closed all day, which led to an increase in traffic jams and stalled traffic on the A7 and A1. There were also waiting times of up to three hours on various ferry connections, especially on the crossings from Brake-Sandstedt and Nordenham-Blexen. In the Elbe Tunnel in Hamburg, only one of three lanes was open in both directions, which further exacerbated the already tense situation.

Effects of the warning strikes

The warning strikes took place not only in Lower Saxony, but also at 18 other Autobahn GmbH locations in Germany. Loud Time The focus of the strike action is in North Rhine-Westphalia, where all 28 state tunnels were on strike in the afternoon. These actions not only affect Autobahn GmbH, but also the state road construction administrations, so many employees - around 14,000 in total - were called on strike.

In its negotiations, the ver.di union consistently demanded a salary increase of seven percent or at least 300 euros more per month. Autobahn GmbH's offer, which has not yet been submitted, could also influence the states' willingness to negotiate. Hamburg's Finance Senator Andreas Dressel described the demands as excessive, but was optimistic that an agreement could be reached in February.

Criticism and consequences

The management of the Oldenburg Chamber of Industry and Commerce has already expressed concerns about the economic impact of the traffic restrictions caused by the closures and traffic jams. Ver.di, however, was satisfied with the response to the protests in Hanover and emphasized the strong participation of employees. However, strikes in the federal states' public services are also expected to expand from next week, which could affect clinics, daycare centers and administrations.

Overall, the warning strikes in Lower Saxony and nationwide show that public sector employees are prepared to stand up for their rights and demands. We will likely hear about further developments and possibly more intensive strike action in the coming weeks.