Skip to content

Strike Grounds All Flights at Berlin Airport

All flights were canceled at Germany's BER airport in the capital Berlin on Wednesday, as staff went on strike to press pay demands.

Demonstrators hold a banner during a general strike by employees over pay demands, at the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Demonstrators hold a banner during a general strike by employees over pay demands, at the Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)

Approximately 300 take-offs and landings with nearly 35,000 passengers were scheduled for Wednesday but were disrupted due to the strike. The strike began at around 3:30 a.m. (0230 GMT).

Union Calls for Strike in Wage Dispute

The Ver. di union organized the strike, calling for airport staff in ground services, aviation security, and the airport company to participate in the one-day work stoppage in protest of insufficient progress in wage talks.

Unemployed Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)
Unemployed Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER)

Union Seeks Movement in Negotiations

Union representative Enrico Ruemker stated that the strike's goal is to create movement in the negotiations. He said, "We hope that the pressure is enough."

Airport Company Offers 3% Salary Increase

The airport company made a collective bargaining offer for a 24-month term, which includes a 3% salary increase on June 1 and an additional 2% increase on May 1 of next year.

Union Rejects Offer as Insufficient

Ruemker criticized the offer, saying it is a "slap in the face" for the staff. He noted that the offer needs to be revised considering the high inflation rate and the fact that staff has not received a salary increase for many years.

German Government Forecasts 6% Inflation

The German Government was expected to release its annual economic report on Wednesday, with a source stating that a draft of the report forecasts 6% inflation for this year and 2.8% for 2024.

Comments

Latest