German unions announce transport strike for Monday

BERLIN

German trade unions announced a major transport strike for Monday in a growing dispute over pay and working conditions.

Security and ground staff at major airports, and thousands of transport workers across the country will stop work for 24 hours, according to a joint statement by the trade unions ver.di and EVG.

“High energy prices and rising food prices have been painful, especially for the employees in the transport sector. The offers made so far by the employers do not improve the situation, but deepen the dispute” ver.di’s leader Frank Werneke said.

The EVG’s leader Martin Burkert said they have decided to hold this major strike after the last round of negotiations with Deutsche Bahn and other transport companies failed to make any significant progress.

The strikes are expected to cause serious disruptions at the country’s major airports. Most of the regional and intercity train services will be canceled. Bus, tram and metro drivers will also stop work in several federal states, according to the union.

The ver.di trade union began a series of walkouts this month after the second round of collective bargaining negotiations with the government and local authorities ended without agreement.

The union, which represents around 2.5 million public sector workers, is demanding a 10.5% and no less than €500 ($545) pay rise amid soaring inflation and the cost-of-living crisis.

A new round of negotiations is expected to begin next week.