Germany's railway and Airport Security staff have announced a Strike on Friday, causing potential disruptions for travelers across the country. The workers' union, EVG, is demanding higher salaries to address rising prices and inflation, calling for a 12% increase over twelve months or a minimum increase of €650. The union has rejected the one-off inflation bonus proposed by employers.
The railway Strike is set to last from 3am until 11am on Friday, impacting services nationwide. EVG represents employees from 50 companies, including the state-owned railway operator Deutsche Bahn. Long-distance trains, S-Bahn services, and regional trains will all be affected, with cancellations expected during the strike.
Travelers and commuters should anticipate potential backlogs even after services resume. While local and regional services may recover quickly, many long-distance trains may not restart until around 1pm on Friday. Passengers experiencing delays may be entitled to compensation from Deutsche Bahn, so it's essential to keep receipts for any unexpected expenses.
In addition to the railway Strike, Hamburg airport has canceled all departing flights from 10pm on Wednesday until 11pm on Friday due to security staff strikes. Some arriving flights may also be affected. Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, and Stuttgart airports have not announced blanket cancellations, but passengers should expect severe delays throughout the strike days.
Travelers with flights departing from or arriving at Cologne/Bonn, Stuttgart, or Düsseldorf should regularly check their flight status and allow extra time for potential delays at security checkpoints.
This year has seen a surge in strikes across Germany, with workers from various sectors, including schools, hospitals, and the Post Office, demanding wage increases. The last strike on March 27 paralyzed the entire transport sector, including airports, for 24 hours. Negotiations between the union and the state and municipalities are set to resume on Saturday in hopes of reaching a wage agreement.
