Germany is bracing for escalating strikes in 2026 as labor disputes continue to affect various sectors. Recently, Lufthansa canceled nearly 800 flights, impacting around 100,000 passengers due to strikes called by pilots and flight attendants. The pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit, and the flight attendant union, UFO, initiated the strike amid ongoing labor negotiations.
Labor Disputes and Collective Bargaining in 2026
2026 is shaping up to be a year of heightened industrial action. Approximately 10 million employees are expected to negotiate new collective bargaining agreements. A failure to reach satisfactory agreements will likely lead to more strikes.
Recent Strikes Across Various Sectors
- In early February 2026, Ver.di, a service sector trade union, commenced nationwide strikes amid negotiations with federal states.
- Public transport, including schools and state administrations, has been significantly affected.
- Warning strikes have also disrupted local transport in several regions including Hamburg and Bavaria.
The chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors are undergoing collective agreement talks, facing job cuts due to increasing energy costs. The German Chemicals Industry Association (VCI) indicates potential plant closures could lead to further job losses.
Outlook for the Transport Sector
The beleaguered rail operator, Deutsche Bahn, and the Union of German Train Drivers (GDL) commenced new bargaining discussions. Strikes can only resume after March due to a mandatory truce. GDL’s Mario Reiss expressed dissatisfaction over a recent offer from Deutsche Bahn, indicating that preparations for potential strikes are already underway.
Continued Strain on Workers
Employees in the wholesale, retail, and foreign trade sectors, which employ around 3.6 million people, are also navigating contract negotiations. The collective agreements in the metal and electrical industry will expire in October, intensifying the potential for strikes.
Strike Trends in Germany
While it may seem that strikes are prevalent, historical data shows that the frequency of strikes has decreased over the decades. In the 1980s, over 600,000 working days were lost annually to strikes, while this number fell to just under 150,000 from 2000 to 2009. Recent figures indicate that the average number of lost days per 1,000 employees has increased slightly in the past 15 years.
Job Security and Wage Negotiations
Strikes have expanded beyond wage considerations to include job security issues, especially in the pharmaceuticals and chemicals sectors. Trade union representatives have emphasized that safeguarding jobs should take precedence during negotiations.
Deutsche Bank Research anticipates wage increases of nearly 3% per year in 2026 and 2027, while 2025 estimates a 2.7% rise. However, unions are expected to focus more on job security, particularly for those in struggling industries.
