Frankfurt’s public transportation system is facing significant disruption as a new warning strike by employees of the Verkehrsgesellschaft Frankfurt (VGF) began Tuesday morning. All nine U-Bahn lines and ten tram lines are currently suspended, impacting commuters and travelers throughout the city.
The strike, which commenced with the start of the early shift, is expected to continue until the end of the last shift, potentially extending into the following day. While bus and S-Bahn services are reportedly operating as scheduled, authorities anticipate increased demand on these alternative modes of transport, potentially leading to delays.
According to the VGF, the complete shutdown of U-Bahn and tram services will severely impact the city’s transportation network. However, replacement services for the U2 line between Nieder-Eschbach and Gonzenheim, as well as for the U5 line between Konstablerwache and Marbachweg/Sozialzentrum, are expected to remain operational.
The industrial action stems from ongoing negotiations regarding collective bargaining agreements for public transport workers in the state of Hesse. Verdi, the union representing the workers, alleges that employers are seeking to reduce existing allowances. Specifically, the union claims that employers intend to offset tariff increases with existing allowances for employee recruitment and reduce the long-standing supplement to sick pay.
“We are now increasing the pressure with the further strike across Hesse,” stated Jochen Koppel, Verdi’s lead negotiator. He expressed the expectation that employers will reconsider their proposals during the next round of negotiations, scheduled for Wednesday, February 25th.
Verdi representatives emphasize that the negotiations are not focused on general salary increases, but rather on working conditions. The collective bargaining agreement is linked to the TVöD (Tarifvertrag öffentlicher Dienst – public sector collective agreement), with discussions centering on the calculation of allowances, questions of job classification, and the potential introduction of a regional allowance.
The strike extends beyond Frankfurt, affecting transportation services in Wiesbaden, Kassel, Marburg, and Gießen. Commuters and travelers are advised to stay informed about the latest developments and plan their journeys accordingly. Passengers are encouraged to check for updates via radio broadcasts, the RMV service telephone at 069 / 24 24 80 24, the internet at www.rmv-frankfurt.de, and social media channels.
The RMV app and website offer a feature allowing users to filter out U-Bahn and tram connections, displaying only available S-Bahn, regional train, and bus routes. This functionality can assist passengers in identifying alternative travel options during the disruption.
This latest strike follows a 24-hour walkout on February 18th, which brought Frankfurt’s U-Bahn and tram services to a standstill. That action, also organized by Verdi, aimed to pressure employers to address the union’s concerns regarding working conditions and compensation. The previous strike highlighted the potential for significant disruption to Frankfurt’s mobility ecosystem, with last-mile connections to key locations like Messe Frankfurt, the banking district, and the airport experiencing heavy congestion. Hotels reportedly received last-minute cancellations of corporate meetings, and ride-hailing fares surged during peak hours.
The current dispute underscores the challenges facing public transportation systems in Germany as unions seek to secure improved working conditions and wages for their members amidst rising inflation and economic pressures. The outcome of the negotiations will likely have broader implications for public transport workers across the Rhine-Main region and beyond.
