Airport workers in Germany go on a 48-hour strike
Airport workers in Germany go on strike again. The 48-hour strike will affect Dusseldorf, Cologne, Hamburg and Stuttgart airports. At least 700 flights are expected to be canceled, while 100,000 passengers will suffer. German union Verdi says no agreement has yet been reached.
Upon the call of the union in Germany, airport workers started a 48-hour strike in Hamburg, Dusseldorf and Cologne on Thursday.
Hundreds of flights were canceled due to the ongoing dispute over wages and working conditions.
AT LEAST 700 FLIGHTS CANCELED
The strike, which started at midnight last night at the call of the German union Verdi, is expected to end at 00:00 pm local time on Friday night. In addition to Hamburg, Dusseldorf and Cologne, employees at Stuttgart Airport will join the strike tonight.
In the statement made by the German Airports Association (ADV), it was stated that at least 700 flights planned from 3 airports were canceled and at least 100 thousand passengers are expected to be affected by the strikes.
“Flight cancellations and delays are also to be expected on arrival,” the airport operator said in a statement and asked passengers to contact their airline for cancelations or rebooking.
Cologne/Bonn airport announced that more than 120 flights have been canceled today, and most of the 225 flights planned for Friday would have to be canceled.
The strike also grounded dozens of flights at Dusseldorf airport and caused longer waiting times at security checkpoints in the morning hours.
NO AGREEMENT HAS BEEN REACHED YET
Labor union Verdi is negotiating with the Federal Association of Aviation Safety Companies (BDLS) to increase employee surcharges for night shifts, weekends and public holidays.
Despite the large-scale strikes recently, no agreement has been reached yet, and the union aims to increase the pressure on employers before the talks on 27-28 April.
NEGOTIATIONS WILL BE HELD ON 27 AND 28 APRIL
Union representative Wolfgang Pieper said in a statement on the subject, “The talks held on 11 and 12 April did not bring a solution, the employers did not present an improved offer.
"We call on our interlocutor to present a negotiable offer at the negotiations on 27 and 28 April in order to prevent further strikes," he said.
(Ihlas News Agency - AA)
