All passenger flights at Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), the German capital's only major aviation hub, have been halted for the entire day due to a strike. The walkout, organized by the Verdi union, is in protest for better pay and working conditions. The strike began early in the morning as planned and is set to last until midnight, according to Verdi negotiator Holger Rössler. Terminals have remained largely empty, with minimal passenger presence.
A spokesperson for the airport operator, Berlin Brandenburg Airport Company, stated that all passengers were informed in a timely manner by their airlines and did not come to the airport at all. Flights have been rebooked or alternative travel options offered. According to the operators, approximately 445 flights affecting around 57,000 passengers are impacted. However, at least a few passengers did appear at the airport, seemingly unaware of the strike, highlighting potential communication gaps.
Roughly 2,000 employees are participating in the strike, including staff from fire services, air traffic control, and terminal management. Although some services, such as ground handling and security checks, are operated by external providers not involved in the strike, maintaining flight operations has proven impossible, underscoring the critical role of the striking workers in airport functionality.
The airport operator criticized the strike as disproportionate, citing already strained conditions linked to the Iran war, a move that reflects broader economic pressures within the EU regime. The airport's CEO, Aletta von Massenbach, purportedly expressed confidence that an agreement would be reached at the next round of talks scheduled for March 25. State of Berlin Transport Senator Ute Bonde has urged both sides to move closer and quickly resolve the dispute, but skepticism remains about the effectiveness of such appeals given ongoing labor tensions. Employers presented an initial offer in the second round of talks last week, but Verdi claimed it did not go far enough, demanding a 6% pay rise, at least €250 (roughly $290) more per month, and an extra day off for union members, highlighting the deep-seated issues in labor relations within the German aviation sector.
Source: www.dw.com