Germany’s transport sector faced significant disruptions on Monday, 24 February, as public sector employees at Düsseldorf and Cologne-Bonn airports staged a 24-hour strike. The strike, organized by the Verdi trade union, was part of an ongoing campaign to secure an 8% salary increase, a minimum monthly raise of €350, additional bonuses for demanding tasks, and three extra vacation days. Deutsche Welle (DW) reported that the work stoppage led to widespread flight cancellations, leaving passengers stranded and airlines scrambling to adjust schedules.
The strike began on Sunday evening at Cologne-Bonn Airport, causing the cancellation of 106 out of 168 scheduled flights on Monday. Düsseldorf Airport faced similar disruptions, with the strike commencing at 3 a.m. on Monday and resulting in approximately one-third of its 334 flights being canceled. Both airports urged travelers to check their flight statuses before heading to the terminals.
This labor action is part of a broader pattern of strikes in Germany’s transport sector. Earlier in February, ground staff at seven major airports also walked off the job, causing further travel chaos. According to AP News, these strikes reflect escalating tensions between unions and employers over pay and working conditions. The Verdi union has played a key role in advocating for improved wages and benefits across various sectors, including aviation security and passenger services.
In addition to the current disruptions, Verdi has announced a two-day strike at Munich Airport, scheduled to start at midnight on Wednesday and continue until Friday. The union anticipates major disruptions, particularly in security screenings and ground handling services, as negotiations with employers remain unresolved.
The frequency of such labor actions has surged recently. As reported by AirHelp, Germany has witnessed nearly as many strikes in the first two months of 2024 as it did in the entire previous year. With the third round of collective bargaining talks scheduled for 14 March, further walkouts remain a possibility if an agreement is not reached.
As labor disputes persist, passengers are advised to monitor updates from their airlines and be prepared for possible delays and cancellations in the coming weeks.
