German union calls strikes at three major airports
The German union Verdi called all-day warning strikes on Thursday and Friday for employees in several areas at Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Cologne/Bonn airports.
“The strike starts on the night of Wednesday to Thursday and ends on the night of Friday to Saturday,” Verdi said on Tuesday.
The sectors to be affected include the area of aeronautical security, passenger control, people and goods control and service areas. “Longer waiting times or even flight cancellations due to the strike should be expected,” the union warned.
Hamburg airport said all departures would be canceled or run without passengers on Thursday and Friday due to a strike, with around 80,000 passengers likely to be affected. Arrivals will still be possible, he added.
Why did Verdi call strikes?
The reason for the strikes is the negotiations between Verdi and the Federal Association of Air Safety Companies (BDLS) about time bonuses for night shifts, Saturdays, Sundays and holidays.
Workers are also fighting for a better collective agreement on overtime pay for security and service workers at commercial airports.
Despite recent strikes, there has been no progress so far. A written offer from the BDLS was insufficient, the union stressed.
“Work at airports must become more attractive in order to retain aviation security specialists and recruit new ones to avoid longer waiting times for tourists,” said Verdi representative Wolfgang Pieper.
“We ask the BDLS to finally present a negotiable offer in the negotiations on 27 and 28 April to avoid further blows and end the conflict before Pentecost,” he added.
Source: DW
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