Berlin airport faces disruption on Wednesday as union calls strike

Berlin's international airport faces disruption on Wednesday after the Verdi trade union called a strike over an ongoing pay dispute.

The union said on Monday that it would hold the walkout as a result of employers' "refusal to put forward a proposal open to negotiations" amid collective bargaining negotiations.

It was initially unclear how far the strike would affect operations at Berlin-Brandenburg Airport (BER), but passengers should expect widespread disruption.

The union is negotiating with airport management, seeking a salary increase of 6% or at least €250 ($287) in pay raises for its 2,000 employees under a new collective agreement set to run for 12 months.

Verdi, one of Europe's biggest trade unions, has also been pushing for an additional day off for members.

Last week, employer representatives presented an initial offer which the union said included a pay rise of around 1% annually until 2028.

Verdi's lead negotiator rejected the proposal at the time, describing it as a "provocation at the negotiating table."

Wednesday's industrial action will be the first strike in the current negotiations.

It comes after a two-day strike by Lufthansa pilots led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights across Germany last week.