2023 German public transport strike

The 2023 German public transport strike was a nationwide labor strike that occurred in March 2023 in Germany. The strike was organized by Ver.di and EVG, two major transport unions, who demanded a 10.5% pay increase for their members to offset rising food and energy costs. This strike was one of the largest to affect Germany in decades and impacted airports - including those in Munich, Frankfurt, and Hamburg - public transport, and the country's largest seaport. Railroad services, as well as early morning regional and commuter rail services, were suspended throughout the country.

The strike involved over 400,000 transport workers, making it the largest transport workers' action since a series of strikes in the 1990s. Its aim was to serve as a warning to the government and employers about the potential consequences of failing to negotiate salary increases that would keep pace with inflation. A YouGov poll revealed that around 55% of Germans considered the strike to be justified. Although Karin Welge, a spokesperson for VKA, a group that represents public sector employers, called the strike an "unprovoked escalation," the unions argued that it was necessary to make it clear to employers that employees support their demands. The strike was mostly peaceful, but it caused significant disruption to travel and commerce in Germany, which is Europe's largest economy. After 24 hours, the strike ended, and negotiations between the unions and employers resumed.