Silence roamed train stations and airports as public transit systems in much of Germany were included in a call by labor unions on Monday for a massive one-day strike in an effort to call for a raise in salaries to combat rising inflation.
Cargo transport by rail and ship was even impacted since employees and port workers also walked out. As a result, the German public took cars to drive to where they needed, which led to major delays on roads, while many opted for a work-from-home option.
One-day strikes have been occurring frequently across Germany. Just two weeks ago, hundreds of flights were canceled as security staff began their strike at four German airports in Berlin, Bremen, Hannover, and Hamburg – leaving more than 27,000 travelers stranded and reaching out to their airline for current flight updates.
The ver.di trade union is demanding a 10.5% pay raise as a result of inflation, and requesting higher remuneration for overtime and night shifts, alongside improvements to working conditions.
In February last month, a 24-hour strike by the ver.di union grounded more than 300 planes at Germany’s Duesseldorf and Cologne Bonn regional airports on Monday, as per airport authorities.
Postal workers, public transportation personnel, and nursery workers have also staged rallies as they cope with a rise in living costs, which was largely the result of the blowback of Western sanctions on Russia.
Employers have only offered an increase of 5% in one-time payments of 2,500 euros ($2,630) per employee. The next round of talks is due to start today, March 27.