03/27/2023 05:00 (act. 03/27/2023 05:10)
Comprehensive strikes in air and rail traffic also affect Austria ©APA/dpa
Trains, buses and planes have been stopped across Germany since midnight. The 24-hour warning strike also leads to huge losses in rail and air traffic in Austria. Among other things, all train connections via Deutsches Eck are affected. Trains to and from Germany will be shortened or cancelled. According to information from Vienna Airport, all air connections between Vienna and Munich, Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Stuttgart were canceled today.
With the warning strikes, the German union Verdi and the railway and transport union (EVG) want to increase the pressure on ongoing wage negotiations.
On the tracks, long-distance traffic will be completely stopped on Monday and regional traffic will be largely stopped. Almost all German airports are on strike, but not Berlin Airport. Waterways and ports, as well as the road company are also affected. Munich airport was already on strike on Sunday and all twelve flights between Munich and Vienna were cancelled.
In Austria, the strike is also having a huge impact. Trains to and from Germany will be shortened or cancelled. All train connections via Deutsches Eck are also affected. A shuttle service will be arranged every two hours. Trips can take up to three hours longer. ÖBB is asking all affected travelers to postpone non-essential travel on these routes or choose alternative travel options.
Many air connections with the neighboring country were also cancelled. According to information from Vienna Airport, all air connections between Vienna and Munich, Frankfurt, Nuremberg and Stuttgart will be canceled on Monday. There are also individual cancellations of connecting flights to and from Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne – a total of 28 outward and 27 return flights to and from these destinations.
Flights between Salzburg and Frankfurt and Cologne were also cancelled, as were all three connections between Innsbruck and Frankfurt and two return flights between Linz and Frankfurt. All travelers are advised to check with their airline or tour operator regarding their air travel. The homepages of the respective airlines and airports also provide an overview of current arrivals and departures.
The effects of the warning strike are still expected to be felt on Tuesday. In long-distance Deutsche Bahn traffic, for example, it will take some time for the ICE and IC trains to get back to where they are needed. The train said train cancellations can still be expected, especially earlier in the day. Effects are also possible at airports on Tuesday.
It is unclear whether more strike days are imminent. Today’s stoppage is an action planned for a long time, but initially punctual by the unions involved. With the warning strike, Verdi wants to increase pressure on municipalities and the federal government. If both sides agree in Potsdam, the EVG will no longer be able to join forces with Verdi for possible further rail attacks. Given the confrontational situation, further strikes in the public sector are not out of the question.
In any case, the EVG railway union defended the warning strike and warned of further failures during the Easter holidays. “It depends on whether the board of directors will soon present a suitable offer,” said EVG chairman Martin Burkert of the Augsburger Allgemeine newspaper (Monday edition), according to the preliminary report. However, the union does not intend to carry out warning strikes during the Easter holiday. Verdi boss Frank Werneke also defended the strike, while the head of the German civil servants’ association dbb, Ulrich Silberbach, warned of a further escalation of the strike.
EVG is negotiating about 230,000 employees of 50 train and bus companies, for whom they want twelve percent more salaries, but at least 650 euros more per month. Verdi is negotiating for the approximately 2.5 million civil servants in the federal and municipal governments, including those working in local transport and airports. The union demands 10.5 percent more, but at least 500 euros a month.
Under tense circumstances, Verdi and the association of civil servants dbb met again with local authorities and the federal government in Potsdam today. This is where the third round of negotiations for 2.5 million workers begins. Negotiators are still distant, but an agreement in the coming days is not ruled out. At EVG, further negotiations with the various railway companies are pending from mid-week. Negotiations with Deutsche Bahn should only continue after Easter.