Host Nation Update, Feb. 25, 2026
Warning strike in Stuttgart – Verdi strike at the US Army – What German civilian employees are demanding
Around 50 civilian employees demonstrated on Wednesday for better working conditions in front of the main entrance to the US military base at Patch Barracks.
They want more money and, like many other civilian employees in Germany, went on a warning strike. “We want equal pay for equal work,” said Captain Tobias Heumann, shift supervisor of the civilian fire brigade, usually referred to here as.
The 38-year-old from Leonberg says he earns around 60,000 euros a year. And that’s “for 24-hour shifts and a 64-hour week,” he explains.
By way of comparison, a firefighter at Stuttgart Airport – just a few meters away from his workplace – earns “at least ten thousand more” in a similarly responsible position, says Heumann. That’s not fair, he says. He also criticizes the lack of recognition for basic training in Germany: “It’s also a question of appreciation,” he says. Firefighters are highly respected in the US, but relatively poorly paid in Germany.
500 civilian employees at the US Army in Stuttgart and Böblingen. According to Verdi Baden-Württemberg, around 500 civilian employees in Stuttgart and Böblingen are affected by the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. “Staff turnover is high because of the comparatively low salary, and many positions are unfilled,” says Verdi union secretary Markus Kling. In the last round of negotiations, a 1.7 percent increase was achieved, “but in reality, this is a loss in real wages.” Verdi points out that many employees earn only slightly above the minimum wage. Many of them are dependent on a second job despite having full-time positions. Given the demanding tasks and high cost of living, this is not sustainable.
In October, employees were concerned about a possible shutdown in the US. Around 12,000 civilian employees of the US armed forces in Germany were threatened with loss of pay. Verdi called on the German government to take over the payments if necessary. “Fortunately, it didn’t come to that,” says Kling. Nevertheless, there was a great deal of uncertainty.
But who is actually negotiating with whom about the collective agreements? “The actual negotiator is the Federal Ministry of Finance,” explains Kling. “But of course, the Americans are dominant in the background because they are the largest military force in Germany.” Civilian employees work in a wide variety of areas. According to Kling, in addition to the fire department, civilian employees also work in areas such as retail, electrical, administration, clerical work, and even as bus drivers. The US base itself has not made any clear statement on wages. A spokesperson for the US Army Garrison Stuttgart emphasizes that they do not comment on ongoing negotiations. These are being conducted “exclusively between the relevant German authorities and the unions,” and they fully respect this process. At the same time, they remain “committed to a constructive working environment, supporting the well-being of employees, and maintaining operational readiness.”
Standing on a green box, Alexander Brixner, spokesperson for USAG Stuttgart employees, addresses his colleagues with combative words: “We stand together and keep the shop running.” His hope, like that of many employees, lies in the negotiation days at the beginning of March, when the parties will meet again to find a solution.
Ver.di calls for warning strikes in public transport on Friday and Saturday
The union Ver.di has announced warning strikes in public local transport. As a result, passengers in almost all federal states must expect bus and tram cancellations. According to Ver.di, the warning strikes on Friday — and in some regions also on Saturday — are intended to increase pressure on employers during the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations. Employees in almost all federal states are expected to walk off the job, which will likely cause bus and tram services to come to a standstill in many municipalities on both days.
The strike is scheduled to begin early Friday morning and, depending on the region, continue into the night of Saturday or Sunday. It is still unclear whether there will also be strikes in Baden-Württemberg, at Hamburger Hochbahn, or at Verkehrsbetriebe Hamburg-Holstein. A decision on this is expected today or later this week. Lower Saxony is exempt from the strikes because a peace obligation remains in effect there until the end of March.
The warning strike affects employees of local public transport companies — that is, operators of buses, trams, and subways. Deutsche Bahn is not affected. Regional trains, long distance trains, and especially S Bahn services should therefore operate normally on Friday and Saturday.
Ver.di demands better working conditions
“Apparently employers still do not understand that there can be no functioning public transport services in the long term if we do not significantly improve working conditions now,” said Ver.di deputy chair Christine Behle in a statement. “Employees urgently need relief — and employers need a clear signal that we are determined to fight for our demands.”
In the collective bargaining negotiations — which are being conducted in all 16 federal states, mostly with municipal employers’ associations — Ver.di is demanding significantly better working conditions. These include shorter weekly working hours and shift times, longer rest periods, and higher bonuses for night and weekend work.
Employers and union both dissatisfied with negotiations
“The negotiations are hardly progressing overall, even though there have already been four rounds in some areas,” Behle said. This is “more than disappointing.”
Employers have also recently expressed frustration about the lack of progress. The Berliner Verkehrsbetriebe (BVG), Germany’s largest public transport company, criticized Ver.di for not yet clarifying which demands are of highest priority.
Second warning strike in the current bargaining round
This is the second time in the current bargaining round that the union has called for nationwide public transport warning strikes. During the last warning strike on February 2, emergency timetables were used, resulting in crowded vehicles. Many people switched to cars, and according to ADAC, there was a slight nationwide increase in the length and duration of traffic jams. Ride hailing service FreeNow also reported increased demand for taxis in the morning hours.
In addition to the nationwide warning strike in early February, there have recently been many regional walkouts, including late last week in Hesse and Bavaria.
At the grocery market on Wednesday, March 4, on Sindelfingen’s market square, the Planiedreieck, in Planiestraße, in the Untere Vorstadt area, and in the small Mercedesstraße, around 45 traders will be offering a wide variety of goods from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. In order not to endanger pedestrians visiting the market, Planiestraße, normally a one-way street, will be open to traffic in both directions from 6 a.m. to 7 p.m. It will not be possible to drive through to Bahnhofstraße, according to Sindelfingen Town Hall. The other Krämermärkte this year will take place on June 3, September 16, and November 25.
Weather in Baden-Württemberg -Where temperatures in the southwest will soon exceed 20 degrees
Temperatures of up to 23 degrees are expected in some regions of Baden-Württemberg in the coming days. That would be just two degrees below a summer day. However, according to the forecast by the German Weather Service (DWD), fog could persist throughout the day, especially along the Danube and in the Rhine Rift Valley.
Once the fog and high fog have cleared, the sun is likely to shine in many places. The chances of a bright day are particularly good at higher altitudes. High clouds are expected to move in from the west during the course of the day, but rain is not in sight. According to the DWD, temperatures will reach between 12 degrees Celsius in the Hohenlohe Plain and up to 20 degrees Celsius in the Markgräflerland region. A weak east wind will also blow. During the day, temperatures are expected to rise to a very mild 15 degrees in Upper Swabia and up to 21 degrees in the higher elevations of the Black Forest. The wind will be light to moderate from the southwest, with occasional gusts. Strong to stormy gusts are even possible on the Feldberg.
According to the DWD, Friday itself will be pleasant and dry in the southwest. The maximum temperatures are expected to range between 17 degrees Celsius on Lake Constance and up to 22 degrees Celsius in Breisgau. However, it will remain windy in the higher elevations of the Black Forest with strong to stormy gusts.