Berlin [Germany], March 12: AFP news agency on March 12 reported that the Verdi (Germany) labor union said that a planned 24-hour strike by security staff at four airports in the country will lead to 351 flights being canceled on March 13.
"People are expected to have to wait in line for longer and there will be flight cancellations," said a statement from Verdi, the union calling for increased wages and working conditions.
Airport association ADV said flights were canceled at Berlin, Bremen, Hamburg and Hannover, affecting about 100,000 passengers. ADV General Manager Ralph Beisel called the strike plan "abusive", as airports were struggling to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic.
Verdi is calling for an increase in wages for night and weekend shifts, hoping a third strike this year will increase conviction. "Work that runs 24/7, seven days a week has a negative effect on family life. Working conditions have to be more attractive to have enough people willing to do it," according to Verdi.
Relating to the situation of strikes and protests in France, Reuters on March 12 reported that the Senate of this country had just approved the pension reform plan of President Emmanuel Macron, while the day of protests on March 11 was not as crowded as expected.
195 members of the upper house voted in favor of raising the retirement age to 64, while 112 MPs voted against it.
Protests and strikes in France have affected the oil refining, public transport and garbage collection sectors. Protesters hope the plan is withdrawn, while the government argues that raising the pension age is necessary to prevent the pension fund from collapsing.
A TotalEnergies Group spokesman said strikes continued at refineries and depots, while rail operator SNCF said regional and national service was heavily disrupted over the weekend.
In Paris, garbage continues to pile up on the streets, while residents say rats appear more and more.
National electricity production in France fell 7.1 GW, or 14%, at thermal, nuclear and hydroelectric plants on March 11 due to a strike, according to a CGT union spokesman. Maintenance at six nuclear reactors in France was also blocked.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper
