BERLIN/FRANKFURT, March 27 (Portal) – A massive strike in Germany was expected to start early Monday, paralyzing mass transit and airports in one of the biggest strikes in decades as Europe’s biggest economy is shaken by rising inflation.
In the hours leading up to the strike, both sides kept a low profile, with union bosses warning that significant wage increases were a “question for survival” for thousands of workers and managers, calling the demands and resulting measures “completely excessive”.
The strikes, which are expected to start mainly just after midnight and are expected to affect services throughout Monday, are the latest in months of industrial action that has hit major European economies as higher food and energy prices hit living standards.
Germany, which was heavily dependent on Russia for gas before the war in Ukraine, has been hit particularly hard by higher inflation as it sought new sources of energy, with inflation rates above the euro area average in recent months.
German consumer prices rose more-than-expected in February – up 9.3% yoy – suggesting stubborn cost pressures are not abating, which the European Central Bank is trying to tame with a series of rate hikes.
It’s been a painful adjustment for millions of workers across the country as the cost of everything from butter to rent rises after years of fairly stable prices.
“For many thousands of employees, it is vital to get a significant salary increase,” Verdi boss Frank Werneke told Bild am Sonntag.
France has also faced a spate of strikes and protests since January amid mounting anger over the government’s attempt to raise the statutory retirement age by two years to 64.
But officials in Germany have made it clear that their fight is all about pay.
The Verdi union negotiates for around 2.5 million public sector employees, including those in public transport and at airports. The railway and transport union EVG is negotiating for around 230,000 employees at Deutsche Bahn (DBN.UL) and bus companies.
Verdi is asking for a 10.5% wage increase, which would result in a wage increase of at least €500 per month, while EVG is asking for a 12% increase, or at least €650 per month.
Deutsche Bahn said on Sunday the strike was “completely exaggerated, groundless and unnecessary”.
Employers also warn that higher wages for transport workers would mean higher fares and taxes to make up the difference.
($1 = 0.9295 euros)
Reporting by Tom Sims and Klaus Lauer; Adaptation by David Holmes
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Tom Sims