Trade unions in Germany have launched their biggest strike in decades to demand better working conditions and higher wages, expected to lead to widespread disruption to trains and airports.
Frank Wernicke, president of Germany's largest trade union, Verdi, said Monday's big strike was a "matter of life and death" for thousands of people struggling for higher wages amid high inflation.
In an interview published in the Bild im Saitung newspaper, he added: "Not only are people underpaid, they are miserably overworked."
The strike had already begun at Munich airport on Sunday, and the screen of departures showed many cancelled flights. German railway company Deutsche Bahn denounced the strike plans and demanded that workers return to the negotiating table.
Verdi's union negotiates on behalf of 2.5 million public sector employees, including those in public transport and airports, while the EVG union of railway and transport workers negotiates on behalf of 230,<> employees of Deutsche Bahn and bus companies.
Verdi's union is demanding a 10.5 percent pay rise, which would mean a wage increase of at least 500 euros ($538) per month, and EVG is asking for a 12 percent increase or wage increase of at least 650 euros ($702) per month.
The strike is part of a recent wave of strikes in Germany to demand a wage increase to compensate for the unprecedented rise in inflation.