German trade union Verdi is urging employees to strike at Berlin Brandenburg Airport, days after hundreds of flights were canceled at other German airports.
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A German union calls for a strike at Berlin airport on Monday
Germany’s Verdi union called on workers at Berlin’s international airport to leave work and strike on Monday, in a bid to pressure employers to increase their pay.
The union said in a statement that “we should expect longer waiting times and even canceled flights” because of the move.
And the German news agency quoted the main airport management in Germany, that “any passenger plane will not be able to take off from the airport throughout the day,” but arrival will be possible, however, airlines will decide individually whether to land their flights at the airport or postpone.
The large trade union urged employers in aviation security, passenger control and airport cargo control to strike from 03:30 a.m. Monday until midnight, Berlin time.
The union added in a statement: “We urge once again the BDLS employers association, to submit a negotiable offer on April 27 and 28, and not to continue playing for time,” threatening “further strikes in air transport in May.” According to Wolfgang Bieber, a member of the trade union “Verdi”.
The union organized a similar strike at Berlin airport in January, which led to the cancellation or rescheduling of 300 flights.
Also read: Inflation in Germany will reach its highest level in 70 years in 2022
The labor strike is a ‘constant headache’ for travelers in Germany
The strike at the capital’s airport comes after a strike that paralyzed airports in Dusseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne/Bonn on Thursday, which led to the cancellation of more than 700 flights.
The strike was expanded to airports in Stuttgart and Karlsruhe/Baden on Friday and Saturday, and some flights are still suspended or delayed at Baden Airport.
Wage negotiations are still stalled, with the Verdi union demanding higher wages at night, on weekends and on public holidays, and negotiations are set to continue on Saturday.
In addition to the airport strikes, on Friday the German transport and railway union EVG organized a nationwide transport strike, affecting some 50 carriers, including the national railway company Deutsche Bahn.
Record inflation levels in recent months in Germany, which peaked at 10.4 percent in a year in October, have strained negotiations over annual wages in various sectors in the country, with work stalling at times.
