The Germans knew about the strike in advance and most of them, having listened to the recommendations, preferred to stay at home. At stations and large stations, you could meet only a few foreign tourists who were not aware of the latest news.
The biggest strike in Germany in 30 years has become the subject of heated debate and has effectively divided German society. Transport workers are demanding an increase in wages due to inflation – at least 10.5 or even 12% instead of 5%, which the employers accept. And more than half of the inhabitants of Germany, despite all the inconvenience caused to them by the strike, consider this demand justified. According to sociologists, around 70% of Germans are now forced to save money due to inflation, and every sixth increase in prices puts them on the brink of survival. The price of basic necessities, energy and food, has particularly increased over the past year. Inflation there significantly exceeds 20% with an average level of 8.7%.
“Strike! Trains and planes are standing, megatraffic traffic jams are expected”, – this is how Bild announced the strike of German transport workers. Photo: social networks
But the tone of politicians and central media reporters towards the strikers was not very benevolent. Transport workers were criticized for creating additional problems at an already difficult time, and also warned that wage growth could further disperse inflation. What’s more, it’s not easy for German employers now either – they were crippled first by the pandemic and then by last year’s energy and economic crisis.
But transport workers are no longer convinced by all these arguments. Monday’s strike was held under the slogan “We are not going to pay for your crisis”.
The causal links between the economic crisis and inflation in Germany, the Ukrainian conflict and current policy in Berlin are extremely obvious. So far, no political demands have been made during the strike, but some German media have begun to speculate whether it will turn into larger protests with demands not only against employers but also against the government. After all, the example of transport workers may well be followed by workers in other industries.
