Translated by Milo Dvorak
14. 3. 2024
Business Newsletter #16 + Audio + Free Biz En Class
Good morning,
Today's newsletter is a tad shorter than the last ones. I've picked it because I think many may find loads of the expressions used across the article quite useful.
Published by Aktuálně.cz on 13 March 2024.
German airline Lufthansa has today cancelled 400 flights to and from Munich, including connections with Prague, due to a cabin crew strike. The issue of cancelled flights and connecting services has affected 50,000 passengers.
"Passengers whose flights were affected by the UFO union (= a German trade union) strike are being rebooked. This process is our top priority, but it takes time. Therefore, we ask for your patience," the airline stated. The company had already been dealing with the impact of the same strike in Frankfurt am Main, which is the largest German airport, on Tuesday.
Due to the strike, Frankfurt did not handle about 600 flights, including five round trips with Prague. The passenger check-in with alternative connections on Tuesday was further complicated by a Deutsche Bahn (DB) train drivers' strike, which ended early this morning. Due to the rail issues, Lufthansa recommended using train tickets issued as flight replacements only today.
Originally, before today's union action, Lufthansa stated that it would not handle any flights to or from Munich. In the end, it managed to secure 12 round trips between Frankfurt, from where passengers will be able to continue their journey with alternative connections.
Lufthansa and its subsidiary regional company Cityline employees halted any work activities. Over the weekend, the UFO trade union called for the protest of 19,000 cabin crew members after a union vote supported the strike by over 96 percent of voting members. The union's goal is to achieve a 15 percent wage increase and a one-time bonus of 3,000 euros (76,000 CZK) to help workers mitigate the impact of inflation.
On Thursday, German airports will be facing another strike, this time by security staff of the Verdi unions. Airports in Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden, Cologne/Bonn, Berlin, Hamburg and Stuttgart will all face problems.