What’s going on:Â Â
On Monday, chaos ensued as airports, bus terminals, and train stations throughout Germany ground to a halt, leaving millions of travelers in the lurch due to one of the largest strikes in recent memory. Â
With skyrocketing inflation provoking calls for increased wages, Europe’s largest economy is experiencing a period of turbulence. Â
Why it matters:Â Â
Germany is being impacted by some of its most severe nationwide strikes in decades; this disruption is a direct result of two major transport unions. One of them, Ver.di, is demanding a 10.5% pay raise for its members due to rising costs of energy and food. Â
An estimated 400,000 transport workers are participating in the industrial action.Â
It is predicted that up to 380,000 travelers will remain grounded on Monday as a result of the mega-strike, leaving the nation in a state of paralysis, according to German railway company Deutsche Bahn. The German Airports Association has deemed the situation dire.  Â
How it’ll impact the future:Â Â
Amidst the soaring inflation, the leader of a major German union justified the upcoming Monday strike as an “act of preservation” for the thousands of individuals struggling to secure increased wages.Â
