Strike action has hit factories across Germany.

Thousands of engineering workers walked off the job over a wage dispute.

Their union, IG Metall, is rejecting a 2.2 per cent pay increase.

It is demanding instead a 5.5 per cent rise, in light of solid growth in the German economy.

IG Metall is the biggest trade union in Germany.

Factories affected by the industrial action included the carmakers BMW and Daimler.

Participation in the strike was reported to be highest in North Rhine-Westphalia where more than 3,000 workers joined the action.

There are warnings of further strikes if the row is not resolved.

There was also disruption at two airports on Thursday, with security staff going on strike in a separate pay dispute.

The airports concerned were Duesseldorf and Cologne/Bonn.

Not happy today, husband stranded in Germany #Dusseldorf #strike of security employees so have to wait… http://t.co/AkONEPeZ9s— Asha Chitan (@ashachitan) January 29, 2015


German Workers