Strike in Germany: Thousands of flights and train services to be cancelled

In Germany, thousands of flights and train services are expected to be cancelled again this week after two unions called for strikes over wages and working conditions.

STRIKE CALLED

According to a report by Euronews, airline Lufthansa estimates that approximately 200,000 air passengers will be affected by the two-day strike; this means that, as in previous strikes, about 1,000 flights per day will be cancelled. The German train drivers' union GDL and the service sector union Ver.di have called for strikes on Thursday and Friday.

Negotiations are ongoing for Lufthansa's ground staff and for train drivers at the German railway operator Deutsche Bahn.

The strike on long-distance and regional train services will begin at 02:00 on Thursday and will affect millions of passengers. According to the GDL, the strike will last until 13:00 on Friday.

In freight transport, the strike will begin at 18:00 on Wednesday and will last until 05:00 on Friday morning.

"SALARIES SHOULD BE INCREASED BY 500 EUROS"

In addition to wage increases, the GDL has been demanding a reduction in working hours from 38 to 35 per week without loss of pay, a demand that Deutsche Bahn has rejected.

The Ver.di union is seeking a 12.5 percent wage increase or at least 500 euros more per month in negotiations for approximately 25,000 Lufthansa ground staff, including check-in, maintenance, and transport personnel.

There have been numerous strikes in Germany's rail, air, and local transport sectors recently.

News Source: 12punto