BERLIN (dpa-AFX) – The ongoing labor disputes on the railways and in air transport are putting a further damper on the ailing German economy, according to economic researcher Clemens Fuest. “This is an additional burden that we don’t actually need,” said the head of the Munich Ifo Institute in the ZDF morning magazine. Warning strikes by Lufthansa ground staff and aviation security at several airports began on Thursday night. In addition, the German locomotive drivers union is on strike at Deutsche Bahn.
Fuest said: “The economy is shrinking, and if something like that happens, then suddenly parts are missing from production that cannot be delivered, or people cannot come to meetings, perhaps not to work.” Rail and air traffic are systemically important areas. “That’s why you have to consider whether everything is still proportionate.” Fuest suggested stricter rules such as longer notice periods for strikes.
From the economist’s point of view, the sharpness of the collective bargaining disputes can also be seen against the background of the weakening economy. “The pie is getting smaller. What we can distribute gets smaller, and then the dispute increases. It is much easier to make concessions in a growing economy.” Fuest added: “But you have to say that the unions in Germany are very sensible overall.” In the past ten years there have been four to five times as many strike days in France as in Germany./bf/DP/mis