Strikes at Hamburg Airport in Germany affect more than 40,000 passengers: NPR

BERLIN – The flight cancellation at Hamburg airport has affected more than 40,000 passengers on Sunday after a surprising strike by workers affected more than 40,000 passengers.

The airport said only 10 of the more than 280 scheduled flights were scheduled, as scheduled early Sunday. Many service desks sat empty as passengers lined up to find information about cancellations. One big electronic departure board overhead was “cancelled” in red next to the list of all flights.

The surprise strike, reportedly only with about 30 minutes’ notice, came before a wider series of attacks took place at 13 German airports on Monday, hosted by Ver.Di Union.

The association called for a Sunday strike by security management staff so that members working in areas such as passenger services and freight and goods screening would put pressure on group representatives.

“The actions of the union ver.di are dishonorable. A strike that will not hit Hamburg Airport at the start of the holidays,” airport spokeswoman Katya Blom said in a statement. She said she could arrive Monday and expects “severe confusion and cancellations.”

Brom said Sunday’s strike was “excessive and unfair to tens of thousands of tourists who have nothing to do with the conflict.”

Ver.DI has negotiated new contracts aimed at improving professional health and safety, increasing the number of days off, increasing annual bonuses to 50%, and freedom to choose a physician, including regular required health checks for employees.

“Strikes must cause economic damage,” said Lars Stubbe, a trade union official.

“We know it’s a huge burden for passengers, and our colleagues know that, but they say we have to go on strike.

Some passengers did not hide their frustration.

“It was supposed to be a big strike tomorrow (Monday), so why is it something like this? And why is it today?” said Alba Wetzel, who wanted to travel. “It’s just stupid.”