Airport becomes “stage” for strike, 700 flights canceled

Inflation in Germany has led to a wave of strikes in recent months as workers demand higher wages to offset rising living costs. Security guards at airports and railway workers across the western European country will walk off the job this week.

Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne/Bonn airports were deserted on the morning of April 20 due to a 24-hour strike by security staff.

According to the German Airports Association (ADV), at least 100,000 passengers will be affected and around 700 departures will be canceled due to the strike wave.

“The situation at the terminals today is similar to previous Verdi strikes this year: The departure terminals are empty, the situation is quiet,” said a Hamburg airport spokesperson.

The latest wave of strikes, called by the Verdi service and entertainment union to protest rising living costs, is expected to extend to security staff at Stuttgart airport on April 21.

The strikes come amid stalled wage talks, with the Verdi union demanding pay increases for night, weekend and holiday shifts.

World - Germany: Airport becomes — A sign reading "Our wages are not enough" is seen at a German transport strike in March 2023. Photo: RTE

Inflation in Europe's largest economy has led to a wave of strikes in recent months, as workers demand pay rises to offset rising living costs.

Between January and the first half of March this year, more than 900,000 passengers were forced to reschedule or even cancel their flights due to strikes called by Verdi.

ADV expressed concern on April 19 that airports were being “abused as permanent strike stages”. Talks between Verdi and the German Aviation Security Association (BDLS) are expected to continue next week.

In addition to the airport strikes, the German rail and transport union EVG has called for a nationwide transport strike on April 21, expected to affect around 50 companies, including national rail operator Deutsche Bahn.

Passengers are advised to reschedule if possible, as long-distance and regional traffic will be disrupted, at least for the first half of the day.

EVG is seeking a 12% pay rise, or a minimum of €650 a month, for its 230,000 members. The union argues the pay rise is necessary due to “a sharp increase in financial burdens”.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Bahn has offered a 5% pay rise, along with a one-off payment of €2,500.

A resolution to the public sector pay dispute was recommended by independent arbitrators over the weekend. Unions are due to enter talks with the federal government and local authorities later next week .

Minh Duc (According to DW, Reuters)

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