Warden Message From the U.S. Embassy Regarding Possible Public Sector Strikes

We call your attention to the following information concerning possible strikes across Germany this month that could have a significant impact on a wide array of public sector and transportation services:

Public services across Germany could be severely curtailed this week by possible strikes and major walkouts by the service sector trade union in protest over wage negotiations. Without specifying which services could be affected, union representatives have reportedly stated that any strike would be timed to cause maximum disruption during rush hour and could include halting services at airports. The large-scale strikes could also affect day-care centers, hospitals and waste management. Strikes could begin at any time and are likely to be Germany-wide.

In Berlin, union transportation workers are also threatening a ten-day strike from Wednesday, March 5, and lasting until March 14. This strike could bring much of the public transit system to a standstill, affecting Berlin's U-Bahn, bus and tram network. Separately, the labor dispute between Deutsche Bahn and the train engineers’ union continues and on March 3, the union threatened to strike again if Deutsche Bahn fails to improve its latest contract proposal by March 7. According to a union statement, this strike could begin as early as next week and could have Germany-wide repercussions for all rail services.

The latest information available for the greater Frankfurt area indicates there will likely be a municipal workers strike March 6. This strike could affect U-Bahn, bus and tram service, as well as kindergartens, trash collection and other city services. It appears that the strike might last the entire day.

Finally, according to management representatives at the Frankfurt airport, strikes that interrupted services in the air travel sector today ended at 10 a.m. and air travel is expected to return to normal by tomorrow morning. This strike is reported to have affected airports in Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hannover, Hamburg, Munich, Nürnberg, Köln/Bonn, Saarbrücken, and Stuttgart.

Since the dates of strikes are always subject to change, American citizens should monitor local media sources for new developments.

Americans living or traveling in Germany are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. Embassy of Consulate through the State Department’s travel registration web site, https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs/ui/, and to obtain updated information on travel and security within Germany. Americans without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. By registering, American citizens make it easier for the Embassy or Consulate to contact them in case of emergency.

For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Travel Alerts, Travel Warnings, Worldwide Caution, and Country Specific Information for Germany can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the U.S. and Canada or, for callers outside the U.S. and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)