Strike by proxy in Germany

The Verdi public sector union severely disrupted public life in Germany Wednesday, March 5th with a series of strikes. Nina Bovensiepen writes that the extensive support for the strikers is the result of a widespread sense of injustice among the public: "This strike is a strike by proxy. The widespread support for it is also an expression of dissatisfaction with many developments over the past few years. For example the dissatisfaction of millions of average earners, who have constantly been told to forego pay rises and are now seeing the most recent economic upturn pass them by without bringing them any benefits. ... It is also the dissatisfaction of the many losers in this society who have been told for too long that they themselves are to blame for their destiny and are only suffering from a 'perceived injustice'."

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