Cost of Living 'Mega-Strike' to Disrupt Transportation for Millions of Germans

 

Photograph: Sina Schuldt/AP

Millions of German commuters experienced widespread disruption on Monday, as transport staff across the country staged a 24-hour strike to demand higher wages amidst rising inflation. The strike was organized by the Verdi and EVG unions, with workers at airports, ports, railways, buses and metro lines throughout the country heeding the call to participate.

The unions are demanding a 4.8% wage increase for around 2.3 million workers in the public sector, including those in transportation, in addition to one-off payments of €1,500. The negotiations, which have been ongoing since March 2020, have reached an impasse over the size of the wage increase, with the government offering a 3.2% rise.

The strike caused significant disruptions, with airports being forced to cancel hundreds of flights, including 500 from Frankfurt airport, one of the busiest in Europe. Train and metro services were also heavily affected, with most lines either running on a reduced timetable or not running at all. Some road transportation was affected as well, as bus and taxi drivers joined the strike in solidarity.

The Verdi union's leader, Frank Werneke, emphasized the importance of the strike, stating that "a labour struggle that has no impact is toothless." He also criticized the government's reluctance to offer higher wage increases, stating that "with inflation at a 30-year high, the government is not willing to give any real increase."

The strike has raised concerns about the impact on the German economy, with many businesses and industries reliant on transportation. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz urged the unions and employers to return to the negotiating table to reach a resolution, stating that "the strike will hit the economy and it will hit the people in the country."

The strike comes amidst a wave of labor unrest in Europe, with workers in several countries, including France and Belgium, also staging strikes in recent months to demand higher wages and better working conditions. In Germany, the strike has been seen as a test of the Verdi and EVG unions' ability to flex their muscles and push for higher wages in the face of rising inflation.

As the strike ended on Monday evening, negotiations between the unions and employers resumed, with hopes of reaching a resolution before the next round of strikes planned for Wednesday. The impact of the strike on the German economy remains to be seen, but it has highlighted the challenges faced by workers amidst rising inflation and stagnant wages.