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Berlin’s DRK hospital workers set to strike over stalled wage talks

A court will decide Monday if Berlin’s largest hospital strike in years can proceed. Nurses and therapists demand fair pay—but management warns of patient risks.

, and Administrator

2026 January 12 . 1:06 PM

1 min read

The image shows a drawing of a building with a lot of wires on it, which is a plan of the Rosenhof... — The image shows a drawing of a building with a lot of wires on it, which is a plan of the Rosenhof Hospital in Hamburg, Germany. The paper has text written on it detailing the layout of the hospital, including the various rooms, hallways, and other features.

Verdi calls on DRK staff to strike - Clinic defends itself - Berlin’s DRK hospital workers set to strike over stalled wage talks

Around 2,500 employees at Berlin’s DRK hospitals are preparing to strike on Tuesday and Wednesday. The action follows months of stalled wage talks between the Verdi union and hospital management. A court ruling due by Monday will decide whether the walkout can go ahead as planned.

Wage negotiations between Verdi and DRK hospitals have dragged on since July 2025. The union is pushing for a 5% pay rise in 2026 and another 5% in 2027. Management, however, has offered a 6% increase spread over three years, along with a one-off €250 payment and a reduction in weekly working hours to 38.5 without cutting wages.

Verdi’s negotiator, Maren Wittke, has accused hospital bosses of making unreasonable demands for staffing levels during the planned strike. The union argues that management wants too many workers to remain on duty, undermining the strike’s impact. In response, DRK hospitals have taken the dispute to the labour court, seeking an emergency injunction to block the action. They claim Verdi’s proposed emergency staffing plan would put patient care at risk.

The strike, set to start at 5:30 a.m. on Tuesday, involves all non-medical staff, including nurses, therapists, and maintenance workers. DRK operates four hospitals, a hospice, and a long-term care facility in Berlin, all of which could face disruption if the walkout proceeds.

A labour court decision by Monday will determine whether the strike can begin. If approved, services at DRK’s Berlin hospitals may be severely affected for two days. The outcome could also influence future wage talks between the union and management.