A protester wears a vest that translates to "strike" during a demonstration outside a U.S. base in Germany in this undated photo. Ver.di, a union that represents local national civilians employed at bases across the country, is calling for a strike on Feb. 21, 2025, at all installations in Rheinland-Pfalz. (Stars and Stripes)
KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — German and local national employees at U.S. military installations in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz are scheduled to strike Friday, the trade union Ver.di announced in a statement Wednesday.
The trade union organized the one-day “warning strike” in response to stalled wage negotiations for employees following the most recent round of collective bargaining talks on Tuesday.
The first round of negotiations ended Jan. 31 with a “completely inadequate offer” of a 1.4% annual raise, the Ver.di statement said.
The union is calling for a one-time payment of 320 euros and an annual 3% salary increase for employees over a 10-month period. It is also seeking an additional pay hike for fire department employees of two euros per hour.
Short-duration strikes have occurred sporadically in recent years at bases in Germany. Most base services are typically able to continue uninterrupted but with some delays.
Rheinland-Pfalz includes several Army installations, Spangdahlem Air Base and Ramstein Air Base. It’s home to tens of thousands of U.S. service members and their families.
The walkout will coincide with public transportation strikes scheduled by Ver.di for the same day, which are expected to disrupt local bus, tram and underground train services in Rheinland-Pfalz. The strikes also are expected in the states of Baden-Württemberg, Bremen, Hesse, Lower Saxony and North Rhine-Westphalia.
