Observing Hermann...

1 - "A 5% pay raise just wasn't enough. You figure it out." - your first caption.

But it wasn't an offer of a 5% rise, was it, Hermann? I'll help you figure it out, as I'm a nice kinda bloke.

Unless you count a voluntary pay CUT of up to 12% in 2005, and then an "offer" of around 5% to those employees (in two stages, over two years) who have started work (for much less pay than the rest) at the BVG since 2005, and nothing to the rest, as a "rise". The "rest" in this case, being around 95% of the 12,500 people who work at the BVG. (This information is from the Communist Rag "Berliner Morgenpost".)

Of course, that pay cut deal in 2005, and much lower pay for all new employees was something that Verdi agreed with their SPD and PDS friends in the Berlin City Government, against the wishes of most of their members (only 25% have to vote "yes" to a pay deal for it to be legally accepted, yes, if 74.999% vote "no", it's the same as a "yes").

But since the GDL arrived on the scene, and around 1,000 BVG workers have signed up to the "train drivers'" union (without the GDL doing any recruitment or distributing a single leaflet - as you might expect, they only do that kind of thing at the Deutsche Bahn), Verdi's leadership are shitting themselves and are forcing themselves to try something new (for them). Representing their members' interests.

And, although the DGB/Verdi bureaucrats can't bring themselves to say it (in public), their best hope for a deal which might save their face amongst their BVG membership is the GDL strike, if it happens, on Monday. (Comment this)

2 - d.z., five percent hin oder her, looks like the BVG is on its own now tomorrow. The GDL won't be striking after all. Can't count on anybody these days. (Comment this)

3 - You have to wonder were all the ticket fees go, because it's almost cheaper to take the car than public transport these days.

Still... I bet it's faster to get from point A to B in Berlin on a strike day, than having to use the public transport in places like London on a normal day. I have lived there. It was a daily nightmare. (Comment this)

4 - Cosima, you can't bet Berlin when it comes to public transportation, I think. When everything is running, I mean. What amazes me is that most people I know here still insist upon using their cars to get around here despite of this. It's kind of like "Well, I've already invested in the thing so I'm sure as hell going to use it." That might also be the reason why this BVG strike doesn't have everyone as hot and bothered as you would expect. (Comment this)

5 - Oddly enough, it's the dog people who are angry. (Comment this)