Germany: Nationwide strike to disrupt airports, ports, road, and rail transport March 26-27 /update 2

Event

The United Services Union (Verdi) and the Railway and Transport Union (EVG) have called on transportation and municipal port employees to hold a 24-hour nationwide strike over pay on March 27. Airport, railway, bus, tram, subway, and highway workers are set to take part, as well as port workers. Significant disruption to transportation and shipping is likely. The nationwide strike comes following months of regional strikes affecting transportation, shipping, and other public services. Verdi states it expects high participation in the strike, with the union representing some 2.5 million public sector employees.

Verdi has also called for strike action at multiple airports nationwide. There will be no regular flight operations at Dortmund Airport (HAM) and Frankfurt Airport (FRA) on March 27, while airport officials state passenger and cargo services will be suspended at Munich Airport (MUC) on March 26-27. Hundreds of flights, including long-haul flights, are subject to cancelation. Eurocontrol further states flight services will be disrupted at Bremen (BRE), Hamburg (HAM), Nuremberg (NUE), Stuttgart (STR), and Hanover (HAJ) airports. Disruptions at other airports in Germany are likely.

Deutsche Bahn (DB), Germany's national rail operator, states national and regional rail services will be severely impacted. All long-distance DB trains will be suspended on March 27, and most DB Regio (regional service) trains will be suspended. The strike will likely impact rail services from late March 26 through early March 27. Regional and private rail companies will also likely be impacted by the strike. EVG indicates road freight transport will also be affected.

Increased demand for alternative modes of transport is likely during the strike. Increased use of private vehicles could prompt traffic congestion on major routes. Residual transport disruptions are possible after the work stoppages conclude as services normalize. The strike is likely to cause delays and cancelations at affected airports. Disruptions could persist after the strike concludes as airports deal with passenger backlogs. Protests by striking workers are possible, most likely outside transport hubs. Further public transport strikes are likely in the coming weeks.

Advice

Reconfirm transport arrangements. Allow extra time to reach destinations during the strike period, and seek alternative means of transport as necessary. Plan for travel delays and increased congestion on transport services that are operating. Avoid all protests as a routine security precaution.