Mass disruption is expected at 11 German airports on Thursday after the union, which represents thousands of airport security staff, called a one-day strike in a dispute over pay and conditions.
The Ver.di union said it called the strike after the governing body representing the various security companies that provide passenger and cargo screening at German airports refused to meet their demand for an immediate €2.80 per hour pay rise, plus higher overtime rates and improved bonuses.
The eleven airports set to be hit by the strike action are: Berlin, Bremen, Cologne, Dresden, Düsseldorf, Erfurt, Hamburg, Hanover, Frankfurt/Main, Leipzig and Stuttgart.
Frankfurt Airport has told passenger orginating in Frankfurt not to even bother coming to the airport as security checkpoints to get to the departure gates will remain closed all day. Transit security points will, however, remain open.
German low-cost carrier Eurowings said passengers should be prepared for massive disruptions to flight operations. “In a statement posted to its official X account, the Lufthansa Group airline warned: “Flight cancellations are to be expected”.
“The work of the aviation security forces must remain financially attractive so that the urgently needed skilled workers can be recruited and retained,” commented the Ver.di union’s negotiator Wolfgang Pieper.
“The price increases of the last two years, especially those for food and energy, as well as the forecast price increase in 2024 must be offset and there must be a real wage increase,” Pieper continued.
Having rejected the union’s demands, the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies proposed a counteroffer of a 4% pay rise in 2024, which would equate to an additional 55 cents per hour for new-hire security officers.
This offer would, however, only be tabled if the union agreed to binding arbitration, which has been rejected by Ver.di.
