Hamburg’s public transportation system is facing significant disruption as the Gewerkschaft ver.di union has called for a 24-hour warning strike, beginning at 3:00 AM Thursday, March 19, 2026 and ending at 3:00 AM Friday, March 20, 2026. Bus and subway drivers within the HVV network will participate in the work stoppage, the union announced.
S-Bahns and HADAG-Hafenfähren Not Affected
The strike will not impact S-Bahn trains, AKN-Züge, or the Hafenfähren—ferry services—that are not operated by the Hochbahn. Buses operated by Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein (VHH) are also currently unaffected by the strike call.
Dispute Over Contract Duration
At the heart of the labor dispute lies disagreement over the length of the new collective bargaining agreement. While the Hochbahn proposed a 36-month contract on Monday, ver.di is seeking a 12-month agreement, citing the “volatile global situation.” According to ver.di member Thorsten Hukriede, a bus driver, “You don’t have to be an economic expert to know that wars like in Ukraine or now in Iran are driving prices up. Nobody knows where that will lead. That’s why we can’t afford collective bargaining agreements that are fixed for two and a half years.”
Hochbahn negotiator Saskia Heidenberger stated that it is unacceptable “if we are already negotiating again from January 2027 and our customers are once again affected by massive strikes.”
Offers Slowly Approaching Each Other
Negotiations have seen some progress on wages. The Hochbahn has offered a wage increase of up to 8.1 percent over the contract period, phased in over time. Ver.di initially demanded a 7.5 percent increase over 12 months, and has since lowered its demand to a 3.4 percent increase (minimum 150 euros) for the next 12 months, following an initial increase of 2.1 percent (minimum 90 euros) over 18 months. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for Monday, March 23, 2026.
Strikes Also in Other Federal States
In addition to Hamburg, ver.di has called for warning strikes at transportation companies in Bavaria, Saarland, Brandenburg, and North Rhine-Westphalia. Bremen had also considered a strike, but ver.di is currently foregoing that option. Public transportation will not be affected in Lower Saxony, Schleswig-Holstein, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cause of the strike?
The strike is a result of a dispute between the ver.di union and the Hochbahn over the length of the new collective bargaining agreement, as well as wage adjustments.
Which transportation services will be affected?
Buses and subway lines operated by the Hochbahn will be affected.
When will the strike end?
The strike is scheduled to end at 3:00 AM on Friday, March 20, 2026.
As negotiations continue, how might the outcome of these talks shape the future of public transportation labor relations in Hamburg and beyond?
