Local news translated - Feb. 10, 2025

Host Nation Update, Feb. 10, 2025

Wage dispute in the public sector - Major Verdi strike on Thursday

The Verdi trade union is calling on the entire public sector in Stuttgart to take part in another day of warning strikes next Thursday. This time, the call is aimed at employees of all public offices, administrations and municipal enterprises - so there will probably also be disruptions at citizens' offices or waste collection services, but not in local public transport at the SSB. According to Verdi, the strike wave will affect not only the state capital but also the districts of Böblingen, Ludwigsburg and Rems-Murr. In total, several thousand employees are likely to take part.

This means that most daycare centers and school buildings in Stuttgart will also remain closed on Thursday. It had already become apparent last Wednesday - on the first day of the warning strike at the youth welfare office - that a further strike was imminent, following hints from Verdi representatives. However, the fact that the next action will follow so quickly is likely to come as a surprise to many parents. On Wednesday, the youth welfare office counted 1,638 strikers and 127 closed daycare centers and student houses. A further 36 facilities remained partially open and 34 fully open.

A kick-off rally is planned for next Thursday at 10:15 a.m. at the Gewerkschaftshaus, followed by a strike demonstration along Theodor-Heuss-Straße through the city center. At 11:30 a.m. There will be a final rally on Schlossplatz at 11:30 a.m. In this nationwide conflict, Verdi is demanding an increase in pay of eight percent, but at least 350 euros more per month. The second round of negotiations is scheduled for February 17/18 in Potsdam. Verdi is pushing for a swift offer from the other side in order to have a realistic chance of reaching an agreement in the third round from March 14 to 16.

According to the Municipal Employers' Association (KAV), 385,000 employees in Baden-Württemberg are directly affected by the wage negotiations. According to figures from the State Statistical Office, around 248,000 of these employees work for local authorities. (SN Feb 9, 2025)

On Tuesday and Wednesday - Bus strike for the Leonberg horse market parade
Will there be major traffic chaos around Leonberg on Tuesday? The trade union Verdi has called on bus drivers in the region to go on strike again on Tuesday and Wednesday, February 11 and 12. And this will also affect the main day of the Leonberg horse market on Tuesday, when half of the city center will be closed to traffic.

Although the horses for trade and awards are not transported by bus, however, spectators and participants are. And there are quite a few of them. Last year, 22,000 spectators followed the big parade from 2 p.m., the year before it was 30,000. In addition, there are thousands of participants who make up the parade with their clubs and groups. The Leonberg town council therefore advises you to check online at www.vvs.de or in the VVS app in good time to see whether the desired bus connection is running. So far, a strike has been confirmed at Wöhr Tours from Weissach, which operates routes 634, 635, 636 and 637 as well as the 634a school bus.

“Commuters and schoolchildren in particular are suffering as they are unable to get to school and work due to the strike action. We and a large number of our bus drivers are very sorry about this,” says Managing Director Monika Wöhr-Kühnemann.

Bus service strikes have also been announced in Ludwigsburg, Bietigheim-Bissingen and Esslingen, but other companies and routes could be added. (SN, Feb 10, 2025)

Another strike in the Böblingen district - Buses will stop running on Tuesday and Wednesday

Immediately before the fourth round of collective bargaining in the private bus industry in Baden-Württemberg, the trade union Verdi has called for further warning strikes. On Tuesday and Wednesday, work will be suspended in well over 30 companies, mostly for two days - the companies affected include Pflieger, which operates city transport in Böblingen and Sindelfingen; Friedrich Müller Omnibusunternehmen (FMO), which operates express bus routes around Böblingen; and Wöhr Tours in the northern district.

On Tuesday, strikers from many companies will come to Tübingen for a joint strike rally with public sector employees and then travel to Hechingen for a rally in front of a company. On Wednesday, strikers from several companies will gather at two companies in the Black Forest. (SN, Feb 10, 2025)

Böblingen's Jazztime breaks new ground
It all started with the 1st Böblingen Jazz Festival in 2001.

The Albert Einstein School in Böblingen played a large part in this, where Jäger, as head of the AEG big band and jazz representative of the state Ministry of Culture, promoted numerous talents. Quite a few of them later matured into national and international jazz greats, including guitarist Jo Ambros, drummer Lucas Johnson, saxophonist Joachim Staudt, trumpeter Christian Mehler and big band leader and pianist Tobias Becker. Today, under the direction of Johannes “Janni” Stephan, the big band is still regarded as the musical figurehead of the town of Böblingen.

The new season begins on Friday, February 14. In the 24th year of its existence, Jazztime is breaking new ground and will also be performing at two new venues: the Kartmann Kollektiv will be playing at the Böblingen City Church on April 4 and the Branko Arnsek Septet will be playing at the Alte Tüv-Halle on August 21. The latter concert is a cooperation with the “Sommer am See” series organized by the Böblingen Cultural Office. The homepage for the concert series ( www.jazztimebb.de ) is also new. The website has been online since the beginning of February and, in addition to a program overview and other information, presents a review of 24 years of Jazztime history.

The motto for the season opener next Friday at 8 pm in the Württembergsaal of the Kongresshalle is “Roy Haynes & more.” As a drummer, Roy Haynes has had a special influence on the development of jazz. In a life spanning almost 100 years, he played with jazz greats such as Lester Young, Bud Powell, Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Sarah Vaughan, Thelonious Monk, Stan Getz, John Coltrane, Cannonball Adderley, Chick Corea and Pat Metheny. Row seats for ten to 22.50 euros are available at Reservix. Table seats for 25 euros (concessions 16) can be booked via the Cultural Office, by e-mail: reservierung@boeblingen.de or telephone: 0 70 31 / 6 69 16 12. (SN, Feb 10, 2025)

Trouble with cormorants at the Böblingen lakes
They look majestic as they sit on the shore or in trees in their shiny black plumage and dry their feathers. For some time, the cormorant was almost extinct in this country, but now it is on the rise again. As it has hardly any natural enemies, it is multiplying rapidly - to the great annoyance of anglers and fishermen. According to experts, the cormorant eats around half a kilo of fish every day.

“Cormorants feed almost exclusively on fish and can cause considerable damage to fish stocks in a short space of time,” says Daniel Gruseck, who has been a member of the Böblingen District Fishing Association and water warden there since 2000. With a colony of ten breeding pairs, this amounts to around 70 kilograms of fish per week. (SN, Feb 10, 25)

Local news translated – Feb. 10, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Local news translated – Feb. 7, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Baby Expo returns to Panzer Firehouse March 1

Hosted by the American Red Cross Stuttgart Station, the annual Baby Expo event will take place in March. This event is designed for new and expecting parents, to provide information and resources for the early phases of parenting in Germany.Read More

Have your say in OHA – annual utility & move-in expenses survey is open

USAG Stuttgart community members are invited to assist in completing the OHA survey up until March 31.Read More

Health Clinic’s Patient & Family Partnership Council holds first meeting

Community members and U.S. Army Health Clinic Stuttgart leaders gathered recently for the inaugural meeting of the Patient and Family Partnership Council (PFPC) to discuss a variety of healthcare matters. The meeting aimed to gain feedback and input from patients, family members, and clinic staff to improve and enhance the clinic experience.Read More

How to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Germany

Just because you’re far from home doesn’t mean you have to go without this year. Here are a few on-post Valentine’s Day celebrations to take part in this year.Read More

Health Clinic hosting walk-in COVID-19 and flu vaccination event Wednesday

The U.S. Army Health Clinic Stuttgart will host a one-day-only walk-in COVID-19 & flu vaccination event on Wednesday, Feb. 5, from 8 a.m. – 3 p.m. Vaccines are available on a first come, first served basis while supplies last. Please come to the Immunization waiting room with either a completed DD Form 3111 (Adult) or DD Form 3110 (Pediatric) to keep the process smooth.Read More

January issue of the Stuttgart Citizen now available

The newest issue of The Stuttgart Citizen is now available.Read More

USAG Stuttgart concludes exercise and returns to normal operations

USAG Stuttgart will soon conduct a force protection exercise that may impact services and cause delays at installation gates. Follow garrison platforms, including the Citizen, for updates, and observe strict operations security.Read More

There is no garrison-wide delayed start or early release currently in effect at USAG Stuttgart due to weather

Inclement weather updates from USAG Stuttgart, plus an explanation of how operational changes due to inclement weather conditions are made and communicated.Read More

Report on-the-job injuries as soon as possible

Remember to report on-the-job injuries to your supervisor and your safety office as soon as possible. Effective mishap reporting allows employers to take immediate action and implement preventive measures to mitigate risks. When mishaps go unreported, they can escalate into more significant issues, potentially causing more harm to individuals and property.Read More

Christmas tree collection points on-post and off

On-post residents may drop off used Christmas trees at designated locations on each residential installation through Jan. 31. Off-post residents must use off-post collection sites, most of which close earlier.Read More

Blood drive seeks donors Feb. 3-4 at Kelley Barracks

The Armed Services Blood Program (ASBP) is hosting a blood drive at the Kelley Fitness Center Feb. 3-4. The event is everyone with base access, and appointments are highly encouraged. Only limited walk-in slots will be available.Read More

Stuttgart Elementary School students from Panzer Kaserne conduct a science experiment at Netze BW Wasser's Münster Wasserwerks water treatment facility and teaching museum in Stuttgart. Photo by Margarita Cambest, USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs

Stuttgart Elementary School marks first field trips to Netze BW

Stuttgart Elementary School students from Panzer Kaserne toured Netze BW Wasser’s Münster Wasserwerks water treatment facility and teaching museum in Stuttgart. The trip is a regular occurrence for students in German schools but a first for military affiliated school children from USAG Stuttgart.Read More

Local news translated – Jan. 8, 2025

Local Baden-Württemberg news translated and summarized as a courtesy by USAG Stuttgart Public Affairs staff. Read More

Gas Prices

11 Feb. 2025

Germany
Fuel Type	Per Gallon	Per Liter	+/-
Super E10	$3.491	$.0922	-
Super	$4.042	$1.068	-
Super Plus	$4.399	$1.162	+
Diesel	$4.069	$1.075	+

Currency Exchange Rates

11 Feb 2025

One Dollar buys:

Euro: € 0.9442

Pound: £ 0.7874

Other currency rates, not available at the Community Bank:

Czech Krone:	Kč 24.26
Egyptian Pound:	E£ 50.23
Hungarian Forint:	Hf 390.82
Israeli Shekel:	₪ 3.56
Polish Zloty:	zł 4.04
Turkish Lira:	₵ 35.992

Rates provided courtesy Community Bank

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Local news translated - Feb. 10, 2025

Host Nation Update, Feb. 10, 2025