If you're planning a trip to Europe this summer for a long-overdue vacation, you should be aware of possible industrial action that could disrupt your plans.
It's a common occurrence across the Atlantic (you can bet Parisians have seen a strike or protest for every lock installed on the Pont des Arts), and while it's rarely a trip-killer, it can have unintended consequences for your experiences.
But be warned: as the continent prepares to welcome U.S. visitors with open arms for the first summer without restrictions since the COVID-19 outbreak began, more walkouts than normal may affect your trip.
Why is there so much industrial conflict?
Few industries in Europe have been impacted as badly as the travel industry by the recent pandemic.
Jobs were eliminated, roles were stretched, and a slew of companies went out of business.
As a result, as businesses resume operations after a two-year holiday, Europe's strong union culture is asserting itself, organizing walkouts and disruptions in support of better working conditions and more compensation in the face of growing living costs.
Many of these strikes have already occurred, and this trend appears to be destined to continue throughout the summer and beyond.
While many strikes are planned months in advance, large walkouts can occur at the drop of a ticket collector's hat in numerous European countries.
London's Tube workers went on strike last month, less than 24 hours after the multi-billion-pound Jubilee line was launched, in a dispute over job losses and pensions.
Only a fortnight later, on June 6, 4,000 workers walked out without warning (in the UK, signage outside stations will read 'industrial action'), causing pandemonium on the capital's transportation links for commuters and tourists alike.
Where are these strikes taking place?
They can be found all around the world, but they are most widespread in France, Germany, and Italy.
Staff at France's Charles De Gaulle Airport (CDG) went on strike this week in protest at lower pay, causing a quarter of flights to be cancelled on Wednesday.
This happened only days after airline employees in Italy held a 24-hour strike in protest of poor working conditions.
This included cabin personnel for Volotea, EasyJet, and Ryanair, and was led by the FILT-CGIL and UIL Trasporti unions, resulting in over 35 flight cancellations on those airlines.
Ryanair, a Dublin-based low-cost carrier that serves almost all of Europe, has recently seen a slew of strikes.
Last month, the company's outspoken CEO, Michael O'Leary, said that unions and workers were asking for too much, too soon:
"The unions are saying, 'COVID-19 is finished, give us all the money back,'" he said.
Well, it's not finished yet, and we need to see our pre-COVID profitability restored."
Passengers at Europe's busiest airports, including London Heathrow (LHR), may face strike action this summer after hundreds of GMB and Unite members working as check-in and ground personnel opted to undertake a formal industrial action ballot.
Meanwhile, British railway workers are preparing to "shut down the rail system" on June 21, 23, and 25, in what is being touted as the largest strike in modern history, in a heated fight with rail bosses about probable job losses.
Be warned, however, that in the United Kingdom, industrial action is frequently called off at the last minute.
In response, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps of the United Kingdom has vowed to make strike action unlawful unless a specific amount of employees can work and keep some services running.
In the last year, widespread train strikes have afflicted many other European rail networks, including Germany's.
What can you do if you're caught in the middle of a strike?
First and foremost, maintain your composure.
While the number of strikes has increased recently, the chances of one directly influencing your journey are small.
Even if you are impacted, it is more likely to be a blip than a catastrophe.
Keep an eye on airports before any visits and use all resources at your disposal to avoid making unnecessary journeys – including this cunning approach to determine whether your flights will be cancelled before the airline even knows.
Remember that if your flight is delayed and the airline can only rebook you on a flight the next day, they should also arrange for you to stay the night.
However, as we previously stated, this is the worst-case situation.
Strike action will almost certainly result in a modest delay in rail service, although in most big European cities, there are typically plenty of other choices for getting about.
Better yet, calm your nerves before a long flight across the Atlantic by devising a Plan B for public transportation from the airport to your hotel, or from a landmark to a restaurant, in the event of a strike.
This may even entail researching which cities accept Uber (ridesharing apps are banned in Denmark as well as parts of Germany and Italy).
Is it possible to get a refund if services are disrupted?
Most travel insurance companies will not cover the expense of alternate travel if your plan is disrupted by strike action (do check terms and conditions though).
Instead, engaging directly with the transportation provider, whether it's planes, trains, or automobiles, will be your best chance.
According to the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), if a flight is cancelled due to an airline's personnel going on strike and the airline has not given consumers at least two weeks notice, the carrier must compensate customers for the cancellation or delay.
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