Verdi warning strikes in Baden‑Württemberg hit hospitals and retail

The Verdi union has escalated its wage‑negotiation campaign in Baden‑Württemberg with multi‑day warning strikes. At four university hospitals – Freiburg, Heidelberg, Ulm and Tübingen – employees will strike on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, with partial action on Wednesday in Heidelberg and Tübingen. Patients can expect longer waiting times, reduced operating‑room capacity and fewer occupied beds, although emergency services will remain available. Verdi demands a 7.5% wage increase or at least €320 extra per month for hospital staff, plus higher allowances for apprentices.

In parallel, retail workers in Stuttgart and surrounding areas, the Mannheim‑Heidelberg corridor, Konstanz and the Fils‑Neckar‑Alb region have begun a third consecutive day of work stoppages. Shops including Kaufland, Primark, Zara, H&M, Ikea and Obi are affected. The union seeks a €300 wage rise for retail employees and an additional €150 for apprentices. Verdi says the actions are intended to pressure employers into a new collective‑bargaining offer, and more strikes may follow.