MDR radio reported that flights from Leipzig and Dresden airports have been canceled due to a warning strike organized by airport employees starting Sunday, called by the Verdi labor union.
MDR noted that all flights at Leipzig/Halle and Dresden airports were canceled on Sunday.
It is expected that delays or cancellations of flights at these two airports will continue until Monday, as the strike will last until the evening of February 12.
A spokesperson for Leipzig/Halle airport said that the number of departing and arriving flights that will be canceled could exceed one hundred.
According to MDR reports, the Verdi union is demanding wage increases and an inflation compensation of 3,000 euros for employees of Mitteldeutsche Flughafen.
Germany has experienced significant strike actions recently, primarily driven by demands for higher wages amid soaring inflation rates. In recent weeks, the transportation system in Germany has faced serious disruptions: protesting farmers blocked highways with tractors, city transport employees went on strike on Friday, air traffic was disrupted on Thursday due to an airport security staff strike, and shortly before that, railway operations were paralyzed due to the longest duration strike.
In March 2023, transport workers in Germany participated in one of the largest walkouts in decades, prompted by an inflation rate that reached 9.3% in February. The Verdi trade union, along with the railway and transport union EVG, called for these 24-hour strikes, affecting major airports like Munich and Frankfurt and leading to the cancellation of rail services by Deutsche Bahn. Verdi is advocating for a 10.5% wage increase, aiming for pay to rise by at least 500 euros per month, while EVG is seeking a 12% raise or at least 650 euros extra per month. These strikes are part of broader labor actions across wealthy European countries in response to rising living costs and wages that lag behind inflation rates.
In a wider European context, similar labor actions have taken place in various sectors and countries, all motivated by demands for better pay amid the cost-of-living crisis. For instance, workers at Bakkavor’s food manufacturing factory in Lincolnshire, UK, went on strike, affecting Christmas food supplies to major supermarkets. In Germany, Volkswagen agreed to a wage deal for its workers that was below inflation but considered generous under current economic conditions. Other countries like France, Spain, Portugal, and Austria have also seen strikes and labor actions, with workers from various sectors demanding wage increases to cope with inflation. These movements reflect a broader trend across Europe, where workers are increasingly pressing for higher wages to offset the rising cost of living.