Airports and bus and train stations across Germany were at a standstill yesterday, causing disruption for millions of people during one of the largest walkouts in decades in Europe’s biggest economy as soaring inflation stokes wage demands.
The 24-hour ‘warning’ strikes called by the Verdi union and railway and transport union EVG were the latest in months of industrial action which has hit major European economies as higher food and energy prices dent living standards.
They kicked off three days of wage talks which could lead to further strikes if they fail to yield a compromise.
Employers have offered five per cent more wages over a period of 27 months and a one-off payment of 2,500 euros ($2,700) – proposals unions, which are calling for a double digit rise, call unacceptable amid inflation which reached 9.3pc in February.
Verdi is demanding a 10.5pc wage increase, which would see pay rising by at least 500 euros per month, while EVG is asking for a 12pc raise or at least 650 euros per month.
“Employees are fed up with being fobbed off with warm words while work conditions get ever worse and there are many vacant posts,” Verdi Chief Frank Werneke said.
Striking workers wearing high-vis jackets blew horns and whistles, held up banners and waved flags during protests.
Germany, which was heavily dependent on Russia for gas before the war in Ukraine, has been particularly hard hit by higher prices, with inflation rates exceeding the euro-area average in recent months.
Worsening chronic labour shortages give unions a strong negotiating hand, economists say. The walkout is the biggest in Germany, which has a long history of collective wage bargaining, since 1992, according to Verdi.
The Airports Association ADV estimated that 380,000 air passengers were affected by flight suspensions including at two of Germany’s largest airports in Munich and Frankfurt, with stranded travellers sleeping on benches.
Rail services were also cancelled by railway operator Deutsche Bahn.
More than 100,000 British civil and public servants will join another all-out strike on April 28, in a long-running dispute with the government over pay, pensions, redundancy terms and job security, Britain’s Public and Commercial Services union said.
The union said 133,000 civil and public servants will take part in the April 28 strike, with workers in the Passport Office continuing on strike into early May.
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