From Assist America: This afternoon the German air traffic controller union announced that they will go on strike beginning at 6:00 a.m. local time on Thursday, August 4th. The strike is scheduled to last six hours which will lead to numerous flight cancellations and delays. The union is demanding salary increases for their members, so inflation is accounted for in their pay. Over 3,400 controllers are expected to walk out during the strike. The most affected airline will be Deutsche Lufthansa, which could have thousands of flights interrupted. Over a dozen more airlines are expected to experience problems as well. The union is still attempting to resolve the salary issue before Thursday's scheduled strike, but at this point a timely resolution seems unlikely. The German air traffic controllers oversee approximately 10,000 flights per day. Travelers in Germany are advised to monitor their flight status frequently and possibly make other travel arrangements if they are scheduled to fly during the strike. It is quite possible that the delays and cancellations will last through the rest of the week as airlines try to work through backlog of flights. Contact your travel provider for more information and keep up with the latest news for developments regarding the strike.
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32349 posts
Tom, Thanks for posting! I'll be transiting Frankfurt for my trip this year, so hopefully this doesn't last long. I suppose it's no surprise that they chose peak tourist season to stage the strike (maximum leverage against the employer!).
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
At this time, just released, busses and trains will not be running on Friday.
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
I've been following the news all day long as we have a child from Germany returning to FRA today - with arrival just during the expected strike time. Fortunately, the news just came in that the strike will be postponed. Kathy, where did you hear the news about trains and busses? I didn't come across anything like that while checking out German news all day long.
Posted by
Germany, Germany
813 posts
It's still tentative, of course. Just like the plane strike, you never know. Here's the short version:
"As for busses and trains - they will run tomorrow but most likely NOT on Friday - the streetcars (not the S-bahn) and the busses are planning on striking................" Director, Deutsch-Amerikanisches Verbindungsbüro der örtlichen Standortverwaltung und Protokoll Offizier
Posted by
Calgary
2297 posts
Hi Kathy, It took me a while to find further information. This seems to be a strike threat for local transport in Baden-Wuerttemberg only, i.e. transport within cities such as for Stuttgart and Karlsruhe. The Deutsche Bahn is not part of it at all. Really annoying for commuters of course, for tourists much easier to manage. http://www.suedkurier.de/region/kreis-konstanz/konstanz/Darum-wollen-die-Busfahrer-streiken;art372448,5037433
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Well this is a bit concerning, our 15 yr old is flying home from Dusseldorf on Sunday morning,, would hate for her to be taken to airport by uncle and then go through security,, then relatives leave airport, then her flight is cancelled or delayed!!