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| Germany faces widespread strikes | Germany faces widespread strikes |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Unionised workers at German airports are threatening strike action amid dissatisfaction over wages. | |
| The Verdi union said employees at eight airports would strike on Wednesday, with Lufthansa saying 142 domestic and European flights would be cut. | The Verdi union said employees at eight airports would strike on Wednesday, with Lufthansa saying 142 domestic and European flights would be cut. |
| The airline urged passengers to take the train instead - but separate strikes by union BVG are also expected for Wednesday, reducing train services. | The airline urged passengers to take the train instead - but separate strikes by union BVG are also expected for Wednesday, reducing train services. |
| Germany workers want higher wages amid signs the economy is strengthening. | Germany workers want higher wages amid signs the economy is strengthening. |
| Economic cost | Economic cost |
| The Verdi union wants an 8% rise for 1.3 million public sector workers backdated to January. | The Verdi union wants an 8% rise for 1.3 million public sector workers backdated to January. |
| The union has rejected the government's proposal of a 5% wage rise over two years, which would also involve longer hours. Both sides are due to hold more talks on Thursday. | The union has rejected the government's proposal of a 5% wage rise over two years, which would also involve longer hours. Both sides are due to hold more talks on Thursday. |
| The planned strikes for Wednesday come after Verdi union members staffing buses, trains, waterworks and schools took part in walk-outs on Tuesday. | The planned strikes for Wednesday come after Verdi union members staffing buses, trains, waterworks and schools took part in walk-outs on Tuesday. |
| Lufthansa said it would cancel domestic and European-bound flights, but that long-haul international flights would not be affected. Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne are among the airports where the strikes are set to take place. | Lufthansa said it would cancel domestic and European-bound flights, but that long-haul international flights would not be affected. Frankfurt, Munich and Cologne are among the airports where the strikes are set to take place. |
| "Strikes [at airports] could cause immense economic damage for German airports in terms of global competitiveness," said Verdi. | |
| Train strikes | Train strikes |
| Meanwhile, the train strike by BVG is expected to involve 12,000 workers across Berlin buses, trains and underground network. | |
| And train drivers' union GDL has threatened strikes starting next Monday on both passenger and freight trains, intensifying an existing argument with Deutsche Bahn. | And train drivers' union GDL has threatened strikes starting next Monday on both passenger and freight trains, intensifying an existing argument with Deutsche Bahn. |
| When a strike by GDL unions took place over 62 hours last November, it caused considerable disruption and economists estimate that it cost 75m euros (£57m) a day. | When a strike by GDL unions took place over 62 hours last November, it caused considerable disruption and economists estimate that it cost 75m euros (£57m) a day. |
| "A new set of strikes could be another endurance test for the German economy," Economy Minister Michael Glos told local media. | "A new set of strikes could be another endurance test for the German economy," Economy Minister Michael Glos told local media. |
| Talks between GDL - which has 34,000 members - and operator Deutsche Bahn - which transports five million people daily - ended on Monday amid disagreements over a pay settlement. | Talks between GDL - which has 34,000 members - and operator Deutsche Bahn - which transports five million people daily - ended on Monday amid disagreements over a pay settlement. |