TENS of thousands of public transport workers across Germany walked out today, halting bus and tram services in most cities in a major strike called by trade union Verdi.

The union, which represents nearly 100,000 transport workers, called the action after talks with municipal and state employers over working conditions stalled last week.

Verdi is demanding shorter shifts, longer rest breaks and higher pay for night and weekend work, despite employers citing tight city budgets.

The strike affected 150 municipal transport companies in all but one of Germany’s 16 federal states, including Berlin, Hamburg and Bremen.

In cities such as Stuttgart, Karlsruhe and Freiburg, services were shut down for the entire day.

Serat Canyurt, Verdi’s lead negotiator, said the co-ordinated walkout — one of the largest in the sector for years — had begun as planned and should push operators back to the negotiating table.

Union leaders accused employers of trying to cut benefits and lengthen shifts. In Berlin, negotiators said workers were being asked to fund improvements by giving up sick pay and flexible hours.

Further strikes are possible if talks on February 9 fail to deliver concessions.