A 24-hour strike by service workers, ground staff, and aviation security personnel has brought operations to a near standstill at airports across Germany. The walkout, organized by trade union Verdi, is part of a push for a collective wage deal for nearly 2.5 million public sector workers. The strikes follow the collapse of a second round of pay negotiations, with the federal government and local municipalities deeming Verdi’s demands—including an 8% pay increase, higher bonuses, and three additional days off—as financially unfeasible.
Key Airports Affected
- Frankfurt Airport: Germany’s busiest airport saw 1,054 of its 1,116 scheduled flights canceled.
- Berlin-Brandenburg Airport: All regular departures and arrivals were canceled.
- Hamburg Airport: No departures were possible, with an early and unannounced strike on Sunday leaving passengers stranded.
- Munich Airport: Travelers were advised to expect a “greatly reduced flight schedule.”
- Other Airports: Strikes also disrupted operations at Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, and Leipzig-Halle.
Impact on Travelers
- Approximately 510,000 travelers were affected, according to the ADV airport association.
- German airline Lufthansa warned of “delays and extensive cancellations” across its flights to and from the impacted airports.
- In Hamburg, passengers faced chaos as the strike began without prior notice, leaving many stranded and struggling to retrieve checked luggage.
Union’s Stance
Verdi defended the strikes as necessary to amplify their demands, with a spokesperson stating that the walkout was essential to ensure the impact was “really felt.” The union also hinted at further strikes this week in facilities operated by the federal government and local authorities.
Next Steps
The next round of wage negotiations is scheduled for Friday in Potsdam, near Berlin. However, with both sides seemingly entrenched in their positions, the prospect of further disruptions looms large.
The nationwide strikes have caused significant disruption to air travel across Germany, highlighting the growing tensions between public sector workers and employers over wage demands. With hundreds of thousands of travelers affected and major airports brought to a standstill, the strikes underscore the challenges of balancing workers’ demands with financial constraints. As negotiations resume later this week, the outcome will be crucial in determining whether further industrial action can be avoided or if the travel chaos will continue.
