Germany: Hundreds of Flights Canceled Amid Strikes

Inflation in Germany has led to a wave of strikes in recent months, as workers seek higher pay to offset the rising cost of living. Security staff at airports, as well rail workers, are walking off the job this week.Four airports in Germany were bracing for severe disruptions on Thursday and Friday, with the cancellation of around 700 flights expected to impact at least 100,000 passengers.

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The Verdi union called for aviation security workers to strike at airports in Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Cologne/Bonn, and Stuttgart over stalled wage negotiations.

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"Almost 100,000 passengers will again suffer as a result of Verdi's strike tactics," German airport association ADV chief executive Ralph Beisel said.

The strike comes as Verdi negotiates with the BDLS aviation security association to demand pay increases for night, weekend, and public holiday shifts.

Over 900,000 passengers affected in 2023

Inflation in Germany has led to a wave of strikes in recent months, as workers seek higher pay to offset the rising cost of living.

In the first three and a half months of 2023, over 900,000 passengers have been forced to reschedule or even cancel their flights due to Verdi strikes.

The ADV on Wednesday expressed concern that the airports were being "misused as a permanent strike stage."

Negotiations between the union and the BDLS aviation security association are expected to continue next week.

EVG also calls for strike

In addition to the airport strikes, German railway and transport union EVG called for a nationwide transport strike on Friday, impacting around 50 companies, including national rail operator Deutsche Bahn.

The strike will run from 3 a.m. (0100 GMT) until 11 a.m. (0900 GMT), with significant disruption expected.

Passengers have been advised to reschedule if possible, as long-distance and regional traffic will come to a standstill, at least in the first half of the day.

EVG has been pursuing a 12% pay increase, or a minimum of €650 ($712) per month, for its 230,000 members.

Deutsche Bahn has offered a 5% wage increase, along with a one-off payment of €2,500.

EVG said a pay rise was necessary due to the "financial burdens that have increased sharply." Inflation in Germany fell to 7.4% in March, down from a peak of 8.8% in October.

A solution to the wage dispute in the public sector was proposed by independent arbitrators over the weekend. The unions plan to engage in negotiations with the federal government and local authorities at the end of next week.

Unlike a coordinated, large-scale transport strike at the end of March, the two unions did not agree on Friday's strikes beforehand.

ss/nm (Reuters, dpa)

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 20, 2023 12:20 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).