German national transport strike begins, major disruptions

A nationwide wake-up strike organized by several unions officially began at midnight on Monday in Germany.

Strike preparations had already caused major disruptions to weekend travel.

On Monday, nearly all planes, trains and buses were likely to be out of order, with major impacts on public transport locally and in several large states across Germany.

Increased traffic and delay on the road network were also anticipated as a result on Monday.

Unions are at an impasse in negotiations with public employers in several transport sectors – including rail, local public transport and airport ground staff – and have organized the strike to coincide with the start of a third round of talks.

Almost all flights stopped or delayed one day, Berlin BER saved

All major German international airports were affected by the strike, except BER Berlin Brandenburg Airport. In total across the country, it is estimated that around 400,000 passengers faced delays or cancellations.

At the biggest hub, Frankfurt, all inbound and outbound flights were canceled during the Monday or alternatively labeled as being delayed by a full day in the case of some long-haul flights.

Munich International Airport, meanwhile, had already suspended flights on Sunday in anticipation of the strike and its effects. All passenger flights were also canceled on Monday.

Berlin’s BER airport was the only one not affected by the strike. Its online arrivals and departures boards looked relatively normal early Monday morning – except for all scheduled domestic flights from other parts of Germany being grounded.

The strikes will also disrupt commercial and passenger transport at several major ports and ports.

Long-distance and regional trains and local public transport were affected

The German rail network was similarly paralyzed.

Last week, national rail operator Deutsche Bahn took the unusual decision to cancel all long-distance rail services in the country scheduled for Monday.

Deutsche Bahn often tries to prioritize these services, several of which also cross international borders. Comparable previous strikes in Germany had a more pronounced impact on local services.

Regional rail services would also be heavily reduced, to the point where it would not be possible to operate at emergency times similar to holiday services, Deutsche Bahn said.

And in seven German states – Baden-Württemberg, Hesse, Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia, Rhineland-Palatinate, Saxony and Bavaria – strikes would also disrupt local public transport such as buses, trams or the metro.

As a result, traffic was also expected to be problematic on the road network, as most passengers could choose between a car and a bicycle.

Third round of talks starting, both camps far apart

The main German union Verdi, the country’s second largest by number of members, and the EVG – a union specializing in the railway and transport sector – asked members to coordinate across the country.

Both unions have pending negotiations with public sector employers this week.

In Verdi’s case, a new round of negotiations with the union of the German Civil Service Federation (DBB) with representatives of the federal government and municipalities starts in Potsdam on Monday.

“With the day of the strike in the transport sector, it should be clear to employers once again that employees fully support our demands,” said Verdi’s Frank Werneke.

Asked about claims by some politicians that the scope and extent of the strikes were counterproductive and could become a “burden” in the negotiations, Werneke said: “What middle-income group officials consider a burden above all are the huge price increases for electricity, gas and groceries.”

EVG, meanwhile, is scheduled to start talks with several rail companies mid-week.

msh/jsi (AFP, dpa)

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