Public Sector Strikes Disrupt Services Across Schleswig-Holstein, Negotiations Stall
As of February 10, 2026, widespread labor action is impacting public services in Schleswig-Holstein, with further disruptions expected as unions escalate pressure in a contentious wage dispute.
Public sector employees in Schleswig-Holstein walked off the job again on Tuesday, February 9th, just before the scheduled third round of collective bargaining. The strikes are already affecting essential services, including winter road maintenance, healthcare, and public transportation. A further strike impacting winter services is planned for Thursday, February 12th.
In addition to the ver.di union, the police union (GdP), IG BAU, and the education and science union (GEW) all called for warning strikes on Tuesday. Employees of AOK NordWest in Schleswig-Holstein participated in a full-day strike, and the Hamburg-Holstein transport company (VHH) announced plans for weekly warning strikes beginning Wednesday.
Kiel Rally Draws Thousands
A large demonstration took place in Kiel on Tuesday, with police estimating around 3,000 participants marching towards the state parliament. According to authorities, the rally remained peaceful. Christine Behle, ver.di’s deputy leader, addressed the demonstrators as the keynote speaker at 3 p.m. The protests caused traffic delays in the city center throughout the afternoon.
Ver.di has announced another warning strike scheduled for next Tuesday, signaling a continued commitment to pressuring employers.
According to ver.di, the striking workers represent a broad range of public sector employees, including those from state companies, police authorities, and nurses at the University Hospitals Schleswig-Holstein (UKSH). As a result, UKSH clinics in Kiel and Lübeck have been forced to postpone numerous planned operations, a hospital spokesperson confirmed. Workers in road construction, state administration, and coastal protection are also participating in the labor action.
Wage Dispute Reaches Critical Point
The current impasse in collective bargaining has lasted for weeks, with ver.di representing approximately 39,000 employees in the state. The union is seeking wage increases that would benefit both civil servants and pensioners, potentially impacting over 80,000 state and local government employees. Despite multiple strikes, a resolution remains elusive.
“The demands are simply too high,” a source within the collective bargaining association of the states (TdL) stated.
The unions are demanding a 7% increase in monthly wages for state employees, with a minimum increase of €300. The TdL has yet to submit a binding offer, deeming the union’s demands excessive. The third round of negotiations is set to begin Wednesday in Potsdam.
Winter Road Maintenance Threatened
Road maintenance departments in Schleswig-Holstein are scheduled to strike again on Thursday, February 12th. While an emergency service agreement has been reached with the union, as in previous weeks, restrictions in winter road maintenance are still possible. The State Office for Road Construction and Transport is bringing in external companies to mitigate the impact of the strike, but drivers are advised to exercise extreme caution, particularly during morning commutes when slippery road conditions are most likely.
VHH buses are scheduled to be canceled weekly, starting this Wednesday, as part of the ongoing warning strikes. The work stoppages at the University Hospitals in Kiel and Lübeck are expected to continue impacting patient care. A human chain formed by unions and state employees protesting for higher wages was observed in front of the State Chancellery in Kiel on Tuesday. Restrictions on road maintenance on Tuesday particularly affected commuters traveling to Hamburg.
