04:44Germany: 'Unite and fight' - Thousands of public sector workers join Verdi strike in Stuttgart
Around 5,000 public sector workers from several fields including transport, daycare and administration took to the streets of Stuttgart on Wednesday to demand higher salaries and better working conditions.
The rally was organised by the trade union Verdi, which called on workers to join the picket lines after failed negotiations with employers.
Footage shows protesters marching through the city centre waving Verdi flags and carrying large banners with slogans such as: ‘Then do your sh... yourself’ and ‘We are worth it’.
Later, several representatives from Verdi’s Baden-Wurttemberg arm addressed the crowds from a stage.
“I do not want to live in a country where only the big capitalists decide, I want people to be able to unite and fight like today," said Martin Gross, Verdi Regional Director for Baden Wurtemberg.
"If we workers in all our sectors, would start now immediately to do service by the book and according to all laws, then the public service would collapse and the nation would get a piston seizure,” added a second Verdi speaker.
According to local media, several metro and bus services were cancelled in Stuttgart as drivers joined the strikes, causing major disruption across the city.
Verdi represents as many as 2.5 million public sector workers in Germany. The union is demanding a 10.5 per cent pay rise for its members amid soaring inflation.
Last month, talks broke down when an offer from employers of a 2,500 euro bonus and a two-stage, five percent increase in salaries was reportedly rejected.
A new round of negotiations is expected to take place at the end of the month.
Similar industrial action was seen across Germany on Wednesday, with workers staging mass walkouts in several cities.
04:44Around 5,000 public sector workers from several fields including transport, daycare and administration took to the streets of Stuttgart on Wednesday to demand higher salaries and better working conditions.
The rally was organised by the trade union Verdi, which called on workers to join the picket lines after failed negotiations with employers.
Footage shows protesters marching through the city centre waving Verdi flags and carrying large banners with slogans such as: ‘Then do your sh... yourself’ and ‘We are worth it’.
Later, several representatives from Verdi’s Baden-Wurttemberg arm addressed the crowds from a stage.
“I do not want to live in a country where only the big capitalists decide, I want people to be able to unite and fight like today," said Martin Gross, Verdi Regional Director for Baden Wurtemberg.
"If we workers in all our sectors, would start now immediately to do service by the book and according to all laws, then the public service would collapse and the nation would get a piston seizure,” added a second Verdi speaker.
According to local media, several metro and bus services were cancelled in Stuttgart as drivers joined the strikes, causing major disruption across the city.
Verdi represents as many as 2.5 million public sector workers in Germany. The union is demanding a 10.5 per cent pay rise for its members amid soaring inflation.
Last month, talks broke down when an offer from employers of a 2,500 euro bonus and a two-stage, five percent increase in salaries was reportedly rejected.
A new round of negotiations is expected to take place at the end of the month.
Similar industrial action was seen across Germany on Wednesday, with workers staging mass walkouts in several cities.