The United Services Union (ver.di) has called on workers of multiple airports in Germany to go on a 24-hour strike on 17 February 2023 over demand for pay hikes.
This will impact operations at Frankfurt/Main, Munich, Stuttgart, Hamburg, Dortmund, Hanover and Bremen airports.
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In a statement, ver.di warned of delays, cancellations and partial standstill of air traffic, mainly domestic air traffic.
However, the walkout exempts aid deliveries to Turkey and Syria.
The union is currently holding negotiations for three groups of workers: ground service staff, public sector officials, and aviation security workers.
The aim is to help these workers secure increased wages to cope with the higher cost of living.
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By GlobalDataThe union said that it made the announcement early to help passengers find alternative options.
The warning on holding strike comes prior to the next round of negotiations on 22 and 23 February between the union and public sector employers.
ver.di chairwoman Christine Behle said: “There is a catastrophic labour shortage among ground handling workers – travellers felt this very clearly last summer. In order to change this situation, an attractive wage increase must be there for them. And aviation security employees are entitled to an increase in the surcharges in the collective wage agreements.
“Employers have so far refused to accept this legitimate demand. Inflation, and high energy and food prices are driving most workers into an insecure situation. Many no longer know how to pay their rent and fill the fridge. They need significantly more money to make a living.”
Earlier, operations at key airports across Germany were disrupted in July last year when the ground staff of flag carrier Lufthansa went on a strike.
This was followed by a strike of the airline’s pilots, prompting the cancellation of 800 flights at Frankfurt and Munich airports.
