Host Nation Update, Feb. 27, 2025
Union Calls for Strike Action: Warning Strikes at the Post Office – Almost All Regions in BW Affected
If you’re expecting a package from DHL on Thursday, you might have to be patient. The reason: work stoppages in delivery services. Here’s which regions are affected.
Ongoing Wage Dispute at Deutsche Post
The union ver.di is once again resorting to warning strikes in the wage dispute at Deutsche Post. Following Wednesday’s strike at all parcel and selected letter centers, ver.di Baden-Württemberg is calling on employees to stage warning strikes in delivery services on Thursday.
Where Are the Strikes Happening?
Strikes are set to occur in nearly all regions in Baden-Württemberg on Thursday. The affected areas include Stuttgart, Mannheim, Karlsruhe, Esslingen, Heidelberg, and Konstanz. Additionally, workers in the Rhein-Neckar-Kreis, Rems-Murr-Kreis, and Kreis Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald are also walking out.
What’s the Dispute About?
Ver.di is demanding a 7 percent wage increase in a twelve-month collective agreement that would apply to around 170,000 letter carriers, parcel delivery drivers, and other logistics workers. The Post, part of DHL, is offering a 27-month contract with an initial 1.8 percent raise followed by an additional 2.0 percent.
Moreover, ver.di is insisting on three extra vacation days to account for increased workload. Ver.di members are even seeking a fourth. The Post, on the other hand, is offering only one extra vacation day for employees with fewer than 30 vacation days per year, which applies to about two-thirds of the workforce.
Increased Workload Woes
“Ever larger and heavier packages are significantly burdening work in distribution centers and delivery services,” says Andreas Henze, ver.di’s state sector head. “More days off could be a solution to the growing demands.”
Next Negotiation Round on Monday
The situation in the wage negotiations appears deadlocked, with no results from the three previous rounds. The fourth round is scheduled for Monday (3.2.). A Post spokesperson expressed bafflement. “The call for further warning strikes is unnecessary and harms our customers.”
In recent weeks, ver.di has repeatedly called for warning strikes in different areas, be it parcels or letters. This has led to significant delays in deliveries in some places. The union deems the Post’s offer as “wholly insufficient,” especially given the significantly increased living costs for workers.
The Post insists on an economically viable contract—given declining letter volumes and high investment needs, it sees only limited room for wage increases. (SWR Aktuell, Feb. 27, 2025)
Colorful Festivities for Carnival
From “Schmotziger Dunschtig” to the grand Fasnet parades until Ash Wednesday, revelers in Baden-Württemberg celebrate the countdown to Lent. Here’s an overview of the “fifth season.”
Carnival Celebrations in Baden-Württemberg
During the “fifth season,” colorful revelry returns to Baden-Württemberg. Here, revelers celebrate Fastnacht, Fasnet, Fasend, or for newcomers: Fasching. To that, a resounding “Narri-Narro!” Here’s how people celebrate Schmutziger Donnerstag:
Schmutziger Donnerstag: A Day with Many Names
Schmutziger Donnerstag, Schmotziger Dunschtig, Glombiger or Gumpiger Doschdig – the kickoff to the Swabian-Alemannic Fastnacht festivities has many names, with revelers insisting on their regional terms. Contrary to what the name suggests, it has nothing to do with dirt.
In fact, it comes from the Alemannic word for fat or lard, Schmotz. According to the glossary of Swabian-Alemannic Carnival Guilds (VSAN), the day marks the beginning of consuming fatty carnival foods and an increase in other festivities. In other words, before Lent begins, one can indulge in calorie-rich specialties such as Fastnachtsküchle or Berliners, accompanied by a cold beverage or two. There are also many customs like the awakening of fools, town hall storms, and school liberations.
A Highlight: The Stockach Fools’ Court
A highlight is the Stockach Fools’ Court in the district of Konstanz, which has been inviting and “accusing” politicians annually on Schmotziger Dunschtig since 1351. This year, Julia Klöckner (CDU) must answer to the Stockach fools. Typically, the accused person is sentenced to deliver a large quantity of penalty wine.
Celebrations on February 27: Selected Events
| Fools’ Court with Defendant Julia Klöckner (CDU) | Stockach (Kreis Konstanz) | 5:00 PM |
| Hemdglonker Parade | Singen (Kreis Ravensburg) | 6:30 PM |
| Kübelesrennen | Bad Cannstatt (Kreis Stuttgart) | 7:00 PM |
| Traditional Witch Dance | Neuhausen (Kreis Esslingen) | 7:11 PM |
Regional Festivities in BW
In Konstanz, about 50 fool guilds are out early Thursday morning, waking up people in the old town and the neighborhoods. Several thousand costumed participants march through the alleys. Konstanz is considered a carnival stronghold in the Bodensee-Oberschwaben region.
With town hall storms and parades, the region around Karlsruhe celebrates grandly until Ash Wednesday. There are also many carnival parades in the Rhein-Neckar area – for instance, in Mannheim on Sunday and in Heidelberg on Shrove Tuesday.
In South Baden and around Tübingen, the peak phase of the Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet begins with Schmutziger Dunnschdig. However, the customs celebrated vary greatly by location. Common practices include the awakening of fools, school liberations, town hall storms, and fool tree planting.
Safety Precautions for Carnival
Whether in South Baden, Stuttgart, or Konstanz, numerous parades mark the carnival season, with thousands of revelers on the streets of Baden-Württemberg. Following the Munich attack, police have increased security measures in many places, although there are no specific threats, according to the police.
However, aside from parades, BW Interior Minister Thomas Strobl (CDU) urges caution: “Criminals exploit irresponsible alcohol consumption, particularly in large crowds.” Recently, at a carnival party in the district of Waldshut, several attendees complained of dizziness and nausea, leading to the party’s premature end.
The politician advises keeping an eye on your drink and being vigilant if strangers offer an open drink. (SWR Aktuell, February 27, 2025)
Important Events in March 2025 in Baden-Württemberg and Rhineland-Palatinate
Time Change: Daylight Saving Time Begins
On March 30, the clocks will be set forward. This means the official start of daylight saving time. Although the change results in one hour less sleep on the last Sunday of the month, evenings will be brighter for longer. (SWR Aktuell, Feb. 26, 2025)
Rosenmontag in the Southwest
Early March marks the peak of Carnival in the Southwest. Events like the Rottweiler Narrensprung and traditional parades see thousands of costumed participants. In the Carnival stronghold of Mainz, about half a million people are expected to attend the Rosenmontagszug on March 3. The city and organizers aim for a more sustainable celebration this year, avoiding plastic confetti and opting for “natural throwing materials” like peanuts or raisins in eco-friendly cardboard boxes. Additionally, the sale of glass within the glass ban zone is prohibited this year, following numerous incidents with broken glass in previous years. (SWR Aktuell, Feb. 26, 2025)
Political Ash Wednesday
After the Carnival days, Lent begins on Ash Wednesday. The day is also known as Political Ash Wednesday, a traditional event for the Green Party in places like Biberach in Upper Swabia. Last year, violent protests led to the cancellation of the planned event with Minister President Winfried Kretschmann and federal politician Cem Özdemir. This year, security measures will be heightened. (SWR Aktuell, Feb. 26, 2025)
New Train Line from Rostock to Stuttgart
In March, Deutsche Bahn will introduce a new train line. An ICE train will run from Rostock across the country to Stuttgart and Munich. The first train departs Munich on March 8 and arrives in the Hanseatic city approximately ten hours later. (SWR Aktuell, Feb. 26, 2025)
Higher Wages for Temporary Workers
Temporary workers will earn more from March 1: the minimum wage per hour will increase by about 50 cents from €14 to €14.53, according to the Federal Ministry of Labor. This wage applies to employees working for foreign companies as well. (SWR Aktuell, Feb. 26, 2025)
Incident at Stuttgart Airport – Man enters security area and triggers police operation
On Monday morning, an unknown person broke into the security area at Stuttgart Airport and triggered a police operation. There were delays due to the operation. What is known so far:
There was a police operation at Stuttgart Airport early on Monday morning after an unauthorized person gained access to the security area. The police operation resulted in delays to departures. A spokesperson for the Stuttgart Federal said the man forced his way into the security area early in the morning. The police cleared the area at around 5 a.m. and checked it.
According to a press release from Stuttgart Airport, all travelers who were already waiting in the gate for their boarding had to return to the public area and be checked again. The police were able to clear the security area again at around 6 a.m. There were still isolated delays to departures in the morning. According to the Federal Police, there was no danger to air safety at any time. (SN, Feb 24, 2025)