A strike by public and ground services workers in Germany, demanding a pay rise, is set to disrupt flights at 11 major airports, including Frankfurt and Munich. Passengers are advised to check their flight information regularly.
According to a statement from the United Services Trade Union (Ver.di), a 24-hour strike will take place on 10 March after the second round of negotiations over wage increases for public and ground services workers failed to reach an agreement. The airports affected by the strike include Frankfurt, Munich, Cologne/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Stuttgart, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin, and Leipzig-Halle.
Ver.di’s Demand for Pay Increases
The union is demanding an 8% wage increase, a minimum additional payment of €350 per month, and three extra days of leave. Employers, on the other hand, argue that rising interest rates and high levels of debt make these demands financially challenging.
Christine Behle, Deputy Chair of Ver.di, emphasised that employers have yet to make any offer in the ongoing collective bargaining negotiations for public sector workers, stating:
“We feel compelled to carry out this warning strike because they are unwilling to meet our legitimate demands. Airport workers are crucial to the smooth operation of air traffic and deserve better working conditions.”
Strikes Took Place Last Week as Well
Last week, warning strikes at several German airports, particularly Munich, led to flight cancellations and disruptions.
Frankfurt Airport officials warned that the strike on 10 March could cause significant disruptions to flight operations, urging passengers to check their flight details regularly on airline websites.
