Union Union Wildi said workers at 11 German airports, including major transport hubs Frankfurt and Munich, will strike on Monday as part of an ongoing wage dispute.
Public sector workers and ground staff at Berlin Airport, as well as Hamburg, Stuttgart, Cologne/Bonn/Bonn, Düsseldorf, Dortmund, Hanover, Bremont and Leipzig-Halle were also asked to join the 24-hour industrial operation, which means that all major German airports will be affected.
Germany suffered a strike ahead of a collective wage deal covering about 2.5 million public sector workers as unions sought to increase pressure on the federal government and municipalities.
Verdi demands an 8% increase in salary – at least €350 per month ($365) – as well as higher bonuses and three-day rest days.
It is unbearable for employers to reject these requests, and the two sides will meet near Berlin for the third round of negotiations from March 14 to 16.
About 20,000 health care workers participated in the industrial operation Thursday, while employees at kindergarten and nursing facilities will strike Friday.
The collective wage agreement for public sector workers covers most of the employees of airport operators, meaning they can join the industrial action at midnight (GMT 2300 GMT Sunday).
Verdi also called on ground personnel to strike for 24 hours on Friday as unions are conducting separate collective agreements for the industry.
Industrial actions related to ongoing wage disputes led to the cancellation of flights at German airports in Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg and Munich last month.
Public sector workers at Frankfurt Airport last strike in March 2023.
Verdi criticized the employer for not making new offers in the second round of negotiations in mid-February.
“We were forced to do this strike because the employer has so far made no offer in the current collective bargaining negotiations for public service employees and is unwilling to meet our reasonable demands,” said Christine Behle, Vice Chairman of Verdi.
She noted that the strike was announced in advance to allow passengers to develop other travel plans.
German flagship operator Lufthansa’s largest hub in Frankfurt and the aviation industry association ADV criticized the strike.
Workers in Frankfurt were asked to attend a rally on Monday morning.
