Germany experienced strikes in three different sectors on Thursday, causing significant disruption for millions of travelers across Europe’s largest economy. Train drivers, airport security staff, and Lufthansa airline ground crew all ceased work, adding to the ongoing travel woes.
According to Sky News, these strikes in Germany are part of a broader wave of labor actions sweeping the nation. The latest train driver strikes commenced at 2 AM on Thursday, with the national railway company, Deutsche Bahn, warning passengers that only a fraction of its usual services could be operated.
This 35-hour strike marks the beginning of a new wave of railway sector strikes organized by the train drivers’ union, aiming to reduce working hours while maintaining full pay.
Frankfurt Airport, Germany’s busiest, and Hamburg Airport canceled departure flights on Thursday due to the security personnel strike. The Verdi union is orchestrating this strike, along with another involving Lufthansa employees on Thursday and Friday.
Lufthansa, in its annual results report, warned that the strikes are among the factors expected to result in a higher operational loss in the first quarter of 2024.
This wave of strikes is part of a broader labor movement in the country, with the latest train driver strikes starting early on a Thursday and Deutsche Bahn, the national railway company, warning of limited service operations. The 35-hour strike aimed at reducing working hours while maintaining pay has led to considerable travel disruptions, including the cancellation of many flights from Germany’s busiest airports like Frankfurt and Hamburg due to airport security staff strikes. The Verdi union organized these strikes, including additional actions involving Lufthansa employees, which are expected to contribute to higher operational losses for Lufthansa in the first quarter of 2024.
This situation in Germany mirrors a broader pattern of labor unrest affecting airports across Europe. In Italy, Belgium, Greece, and France, airport and airline staff have been striking, leading to thousands of delayed and canceled flights. Such strikes significantly impact travelers, urging them to stay informed about potential disruptions. For instance, Lufthansa’s ground staff strike in Germany led to a massive cancellation of flights, affecting around 200,000 passengers. When airline staff strikes result in flight delays or cancellations, airlines are usually obliged to assist affected passengers or provide compensation, although this depends on the airline’s conditions of carriage and the passenger’s travel insurance coverage. It’s essential for travelers to check for potential strikes before booking flights, as knowledge of a planned strike can affect compensation eligibility.
