Hundreds of flights have been canceled on Monday as security staff began their one-day strike at four German airports in Berlin, Bremen, Hannover, and Hamburg. 

Around 200 flights have been grounded at Berlin Brandenburg airport, leaving close to 27,000 travelers stranded and asked to reach out to their airline for current flight updates.

Hamburg airport also announced the grounding of all commercial flights on Monday, since the strike will lead to cancellations and delays in arrivals. 50 arriving flights and more than 120 departing flights were canceled, per airport authorities. 

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The ver.di trade union is demanding a 10.5% pay raise as a result of inflation, and requesting higher remuneration for overtime and night shifts, alongside improvements to working conditions. 

No sign of relief soon

According to AP, employers have only offered an increase of 5% in one-time payments of 2,500 euros ($2,630) per employee. The next round of talks is due to start on March 27.

Ver.di is currently leading negotiations for public sector workers, airport ground crew, and aviation security staff, demanding better pay at a time when workers are seeing their incomes eroded by the higher cost of living.

Monika Schnitzer, the head of the council of economists that advises the German government, pointed out that inflation in Germany is likely to remain high until the end of 2024.