In Kiel, the capital of the German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, a strike by city garbage collection workers has been ongoing since last Wednesday.
Garbage trucks have not been operating, leading to a nine-day break in waste disposal. As a result, the streets of the city are already piled with trash, causing concern among local residents.
Some citizens are taking matters into their own hands and transporting waste to recycling stations, but long lines of up to 300 meters have formed there. The situation may drag on as the weekend approaches, with waste collection not taking place on these days either.
The strike is part of a broader wave of protests by public sector workers across Germany. The Verdi union is demanding an 8% salary increase, but no less than 350 euros. In addition to garbage collection, the strikes have also affected kindergartens, hospitals, and even airports.
