Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

October 10, 2008 4:18:48 PM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

Strike Cripples German Airports

Posted Mar 5, 08 7:23 AM CST in World 

(Newser) – Thousands of German airport workers have walked off the job on the first day of a strike, leading to hundreds of flight cancellations across Europe's largest country. Frankfurt International Airport, a key European hub, was picketed by more than 2,000 employees from baggage handlers to check-in counter workers and even firefighters, reports AP. In a coordinated action, Berlin's subway, tram, and bus workers began their own 10-day strike.

"We can hold out for a very, very long time," threatened a union leader as management signaled a willingness to compromise. The strike comes at a delicate moment for the government and the financial sector. Revelations about an enormous tax fraud scandal, combined with job cuts at profitable companies like BMW, have led to perceptions that the profits from Germany's boom economy are being unfairly distributed.

Sources Associated Press, BBC

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon
Travelers wait during a strike of public service workers union ver.di at Duesseldorf airport, western Germany, Wednesday March 5, 2008. Public service employees walked off their jobs in an effort to negotiate...   (Associated Press)
A traveller lies on a closed check-in counter during a warning strike of public service workers union ver.di at Duesseldorf airport, western Germany, Wednesday March 5, 2008. Public service employees...   (Associated Press)
Travelers wait during a warning strike of public service workers union ver.di at Duesseldorf airport, western Germany, Wednesday March 5, 2008. Public service employees walked off their jobs Wednesday...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (
1
 of 3)

Tags

Germany  • strike  • airport  • Berlin  • labor unions  • flight cancellation  • BMW  • transit strike  • tax fraud  • boom economy


Loading...

Premium Articles from HighBeam

Find more articles like this

Today's Most Popular

Loading...

Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »