A 24-hour strike at seven of Germany’s major airports resulted in almost 300,000 passengers being affected. Unionised workers have been demanding high wages, which has resulted in the cancellation of over 2,300 flights.
The strike affected airports in Bremen, Dortmund, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich and Stuttgart. The ADV airports association stated that the cancellations affected approximately 295,000 passengers, Investors King reports.
The strike comes at a time when the aviation industry has already been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, and many airlines have been struggling to remain afloat. The cancellations have caused chaos for passengers and airlines alike, with many travellers being stranded or forced to make alternative travel arrangements.
Verdi, the trade union behind the strike, announced the action after collective bargaining talks for ground service staff, public sector officials and aviation security workers had failed to progress. The union’s deputy chair, Christine Behle, warned that if nothing is done about pay now, the industry could be in for another chaotic summer. “It’s about sending a really strong signal,” she told Inforadio.
The strike has also had a knock-on effect on other industries, with the 59th Munich Security Conference (MSC) being affected. Romania‘s foreign minister, who was due to attend the conference, had to find alternative travel arrangements after his flight was cancelled.
The disruption caused by the strike highlights the importance of fair pay and conditions for workers in the aviation industry. As the world begins to emerge from the pandemic, it is essential that airlines and other aviation companies work with trade unions to ensure that their employees are treated fairly and that their grievances are addressed.
In the meantime, the fallout from the strike is likely to continue for some time, with passengers and airlines alike feeling the effects.