Germany is witnessing major disruptions at its airports as a sudden strike by trade union Verdi led to the cancellation of nearly 300 flights at Hamburg Airport.
The strike, which began earlier than expected on Sunday, affected over 40,000 passengers, leaving many stranded. Airport officials stated that Verdi did not provide any prior notice, leading to complete chaos.
Hamburg Airport, located in Germany’s second-largest city, faced a shutdown as airport workers walked off duty without warning. The strike at Hamburg is just the beginning of a series of disruptions planned for Monday, 10 March.
Several major airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, Berlin Brandenburg, Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, and Leipzig-Halle, are expected to be affected. With Germany’s busiest airports being impacted, thousands of travellers are likely to face inconvenience.
The timing of the strike has drawn criticism, particularly as it coincides with the start of Hamburg’s spring break. Airport authorities accused Verdi of paralysing operations and leaving passengers in a difficult situation.
Katja Bonn, head of communications at Hamburg Airport, expressed frustration, stating that the sudden strike left authorities with no time to make alternative arrangements.
Reports suggest that Verdi strategically brought the strike forward by a day and minimised prior warning to maximise pressure on German airport authorities. By preventing the use of non-union workers, the union aimed to ensure that their demands are taken seriously.
A Verdi spokesperson emphasised that such actions are necessary to push for fair negotiations, adding that strikes are most effective when called at short notice during weekends.
The trade union is demanding an 8 per cent wage hike or a minimum increase of 350 euros per month. Additionally, it is seeking higher bonuses and extra time off for airport workers.
However, employers have dismissed these demands, arguing that they are unaffordable. This has led to an ongoing conflict, with Verdi staging multiple walkouts in recent weeks.
The latest strike marks an escalation in the dispute, as Verdi has already carried out several strikes since wage negotiations began in January.
Airport authorities have expressed concerns over the repeated disruptions, stating that such actions unfairly impact thousands of travellers who are not involved in the labour dispute.
A spokesperson for Hamburg Airport criticised the union for calling two rounds of strikes even before negotiations concluded.
According to reports, the strike on Monday is expected to affect around 510,000 people, with more than 3,400 flights being cancelled across Germany.
The German Airport Association (ADV) has warned that the large-scale walkout will significantly disrupt air travel in the country. Passengers are advised to check their flight status and make alternative travel arrangements where possible.
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