The 24-hour-hour strike brought air traffic to a nearby standsstil in Germany, affected 13 major airports and disrupted travel plans for over 510,000 passengers.
Nationwide airport shutdown
From Sunday to Monday midnight, 13 German airport workers launched a warning strike by the Vardi Trade Union. According to the union spokesperson, the strike involving public service employees, ground employees and security personnel is going to last for 24 hours.
The affected airports include Hamburg, Bremen, Hanover, Berlin, Daseldorf, Dortmund, Colon/Bon, Leapzing/Halle, Frankfurt, Stutgart, Munich, Weez (near Dusoldorf), and Carlasruhe/Baden-Baden. At the last two places, only security staff were invited for screening of passengers, personnel, cargo and goods.
More than 3,400 flights were canceled
The strike is expected to stop German air travel. According to the German Airports Association (ADV), over 510,000 passengers are expected to cancel more than 3,400 flights. On a normal day, the German airports handle around 6,000 flights, according to the country’s Air Traffic Control Authority, Dutash Flugcharung.
Frankfurt Airport operator, Fraul, warned that no passenger will be able to board the flights, and the strike would significantly disrupt the transit journey. The airport had planned 1,170 takeoff and landing for Monday, with around 150,000 passengers to fly.
Union demand and industry response
The Wardi Union is demanding 8% wage increase (or minimum increase of € 350 per month) with three additional holiday days. Employers have so far introduced a solid countroofer.
For aviation security workers, Vardy also has the right to select your own doctors for better business health safety, 30 -day annual holiday, additional time for shift workers, and compulsory medical examination.
However, the German Aviation Industry Association (BDL) has strongly criticized the strike. BDL’s CEO, Jochim Lang, called it incompatible, arguing that it incorrectly burns the passengers before the further conversation begins. He also called for new rules on the strike affecting the important infrastructure, stating that “an entire transport sector is being brought into a stay, even though airports, airlines, as well as restaurants, retailers and hotels, wage disputes are not intent.”
