Urgent: Widespread Strikes Cripple Lower Saxony and Bremen – Travel Chaos and Healthcare Concerns Mount

Hanover, Lower Saxony – February 10, 2026 – A massive, coordinated strike led by the ver.di union is causing significant disruption across Lower Saxony and Bremen today, impacting essential services including hospitals, ports, road networks, and even winter road maintenance. This breaking news event unfolds as negotiations for a new public sector collective bargaining agreement stall, leaving commuters stranded and raising concerns about healthcare access.

What’s Happening? A Region on Strike

The ver.di union has called on all employees covered by the state collective agreement in Lower Saxony and Bremen to participate in what they describe as a “central strike.” This marks the first time all sectors are striking simultaneously in this ongoing dispute. University hospitals in Hanover (MHH) and Göttingen, the port operator NPorts, and state road construction authorities are all affected. Both MHH and the Göttingen University Medical Center have assured the public that emergency patients will continue to receive care, but other services are likely to be severely limited.

Travel Disrupted: Bridges, Tunnels, and Roads Closed

Travelers are facing major headaches as several key infrastructure points have been closed. According to a ver.di spokesperson, the following closures are in effect throughout the day (midnight to midnight):

• Bovenden Tunnel (Göttingen district)
• Butterberg Tunnel, Osterode (Göttingen district)
• Hasselkopf Tunnel, Braunlage (Goslar district)
• Jann-Berghaus-Brücke, B 436 in Leer (pedestrians and cyclists excluded)
• Swing bascule bridge, Stade
• Wesertunnel, Wesermarsch and Cuxhaven districts (roadway in the direction of the A27 closed, speed limit reduced to 60 km/h in both directions)

Winter Services Impacted – Potential for Hazardous Conditions

The timing of the strike is particularly concerning as it coincides with winter weather. Winter road maintenance services in the districts of Lüneburg, Lüchow-Dannenberg, Harburg, and Uelzen are too on strike. While external companies have been contracted to provide coverage, authorities warn that services may be slower than usual. This could lead to hazardous driving conditions.

Rallies and Demonstrations Planned

The union is amplifying its message with rallies planned in both Hanover, and Bremen. In Hanover, a rally is scheduled for 10:00 a.m. On Schützenplatz, followed by speeches in front of the Lower Saxony state parliament at 11:30 a.m. Bremen will host a rally at 11:45 a.m. In front of the finance senator’s headquarters. Other unions, including the police union, education and science union, and IG Bau, are also joining the warning strike.

The Core of the Dispute: Salary Demands

At the heart of this disruption lies a dispute over public sector salaries. Ver.di is demanding a seven percent increase, or at least an additional 300 euros per month, for the more than 280,000 public sector employees in Lower Saxony and Bremen. State governments have so far rejected these demands, citing budgetary constraints. The third round of negotiations is set to initiate in Potsdam on Wednesday and is scheduled to last three days.

This strike follows previous warning strikes in the Weser-Ems district and at university hospitals in Göttingen and Hanover, signaling an escalation in the union’s efforts to secure better terms for its members. The union has announced further warning strikes are planned, including one scheduled for next Tuesday, demonstrating a commitment to maintaining pressure on employers as negotiations continue. Understanding the difference between a warning strike and a full strike is crucial – warning strikes are typically shorter, intended to mobilize members and signal willingness to fight, while a full strike requires a formal declaration of failed negotiations and a member vote.

Stay tuned to archyde.com for the latest updates on this developing story and its impact on Lower Saxony and Bremen. We’ll continue to provide real-time information and analysis as the situation unfolds, helping you navigate the disruptions and stay informed.