Strikes have affected major airports in Germany, leading to disruptions of thousands of flights until Monday, as public service workers, ground staff, and aviation security personnel embarked on a 24-hour walkout.

Verdi, the trade union, is demanding a collective wage agreement for nearly 2.5 million public sector workers. The strikes come after a second round of pay negotiations failed.

Both the federal government and local municipalities have stated that Verdi’s proposals, including an 8% pay increase, higher bonuses, and three additional days off, are not financially feasible.

Airport operations were significantly impacted, with operations disrupted at Frankfurt, Munich, Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin-Brandenburg, and Leipzig-Halle. Frankfurt Airport advised passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport.

Industrial action aimed to severely hinder air transport across much of Germany. According to the ADV airport association, over 3,400 flights were expected to be canceled, affecting 510,000 travelers. Lufthansa, a German aviation group, warned of delays and extensive flight cancellations to and from the affected airports.

Hamburg airport was the first to be affected as workers walked out early, resulting in the cancellation of most flights. The airport operator cited that the strikes were done without prior notice. A Verdi spokesman stated that the walkout was necessary to emphasize the impact of the strike.

Many passengers were left stranded by the sudden strike, with some already checking in their luggage and facing difficulties in retrieving it.

Additional strikes are expected to take place this week in facilities operated by the federal government and local authorities. The next round of wage negotiations is scheduled for Friday in Potsdam, near the capital Berlin.

Edited by: Louis Oelofse

Source: https://www.dw.com/en/germany-airport-strikes-cause-major-disruptions/a-71872529?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf