Strikes are a familiar scene in France where our media is based, but far less so in Germany. Yet the country known for order and quality is facing a public transport strike at the worst possible time: on the opening day of the annual Hannover Messe industrial trade fair.
The timing could not be worse. The German union Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (ver.di) has called for strikes in several cities, including Brunswick, Göttingen, Osnabrück, and, most critically, Hanover, the host city of the world’s largest industrial trade fair. Hanover’s public transport company, Üstra, announced on its website that all services will be suspended from Monday at 3 a.m. to Wednesday at 3 a.m., covering the first two days of the event.
As a result, the hundreds of thousands of international visitors and exhibitors expected at this flagship event for Germany will not be able to rely on public buses and trams, which will remain idle. The strike stems from a deadlocked wage dispute between ver.di and the Association of Municipal Employers (KAV). The third round of negotiations ended earlier this week without an agreement.
Chairman’s Reaction
The news prompted a strong response from the Chairman of Deutsche Messe, Dr. Jochen Köckler, who took to social media:
“Let me be clear! Going on strike in public transport during the first two days of HANNOVER MESSE is completely disproportionate!”
He warned that the strike could severely damage Germany’s reputation, a country known for order, organization, discipline, and quality:
“Thousands of international guests are traveling from across the globe to be here. For many, Hannover is a symbol of Germany’s strength as an innovation and business hub. When basic infrastructure cannot be relied upon, it inevitably affects trust, perception, and future decisions.”
We Will Not Stand Still!
But the Chairman is not backing down. With so much at stake, Deutsche Messe has taken proactive measures to mitigate the impact. The organization will deploy its own transport system to accommodate visitors and exhibitors, including:
- Shuttle services from central transport hubs
- Additional transfers from key hotels
- Expanded S-Bahn connections from the main station to the exhibition grounds
- Increased taxi capacity
- Refreshments for guests during waiting times
- Continuous, transparent communication
Despite these challenges, Dr. Jochen Köckler said:
“I am convinced that HANNOVER MESSE will deliver real added value for every exhibitor and visitor—and by the end of the week, it will once again send a strong signal of momentum!”
The Hannover Messe opens its doors on Monday, April 20, in Hanover, Germany.
