On Tuesday, 10 February 2026, around 3 500 public‑sector employees in Hannover and Bremen took to the streets after the trade union ver.di called a statewide warning strike in Lower Saxony and Bremen.
Participation and sectors involved
The demonstrators included police officers, hospital staff, teachers and road‑construction workers. Police estimates position the Bremen rally at roughly 3 000 participants and the Hannover demo at about 1 700. Ver.di officials expressed satisfaction and said the turnout could pressure employers.
Union stance ahead of negotiations
Alongside ver.di, the education union GEW, the police union and IG Bauen‑Agrar‑Umwelt likewise called for the strike. A ver.di spokesperson noted This represents the first time in the current collective‑bargaining dispute that all sectors are striking on the same day. A secretary from the union in Göttingen described the mood before the third round of talks on Wednesday as “combative”.
Infrastructure disruptions
The strike targeted university hospitals, the port operator NPorts and state road‑construction authorities. Several bridges and tunnels were closed for the full 24‑hour strike period.
- Tunnel Bovenden (Landkreis Göttingen)
- Butterbergtunnel, Osterode (Landkreis Göttingen)
- Hasselkopftunnel, Braunlage (Landkreis Goslar)
- Jann‑Berghaus‑Brücke, B 436 in Leer – pedestrians and cyclists excluded
- Schwingeklappbrücke, Stade
- Wesertunnel, Landkreise Wesermarsch and Cuxhaven – one‑way lane closed, speed limit reduced to 60 km/h in both directions
Winter service strike
Winter road‑maintenance was also halted in the northeastern districts of Lüneburg, Lüchow‑Dannenberg, Harburg and Uelzen. The regional road‑construction authority said external contractors would capture over, but service could be delayed.
University hospitals affected
Both the Medizinische Hochschule Hannover (MHH) and the Universitätsmedizin Göttingen (UMG) announced participation in the warning strike. At Göttingen, mainly student employees halted seminars, while emergency care remained assured.
Salary demands in the tariff dispute
The third bargaining round begins in Potsdam on Wednesday and will run for three days. Ver.di seeks a 7 % pay rise – at least €300 – for more than 280 000 public‑service workers in the two states. Employers have rejected the demand, citing tight state budgets. Their proposal outlines modest wage increases above inflation over the 2026‑2028 budget periods, with a contract length of 29 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people joined the protests in Hannover and Bremen?
Ver.di reports about 3 500 participants in each city; police estimates cite roughly 1 700 in Hannover and 3 000 in Bremen.
Which bridges and tunnels were closed during the strike?
The closures included Tunnel Bovenden, Butterbergtunnel (Osterode), Hasselkopftunnel (Braunlage), Jann‑Berghaus‑Brücke in Leer, Schwingeklappbrücke in Stade, and the Wesertunnel in Wesermarsch and Cuxhaven.
What salary increase is ver.di demanding?
Ver.di is asking for a 7 % raise – at least €300 – for the more than 280 000 public‑service employees in Lower Saxony and Bremen.
What impact might the upcoming negotiations have on public‑service workers in the region?
