The Verdi union has also called on aviation security staff to go on warning strikes at several German airports. Munich Airport announced that the strike from Thursday 4 a.m. to Friday 6 a.m. only affected the checkpoints for staff in Munich, but this could lead to restrictions in flight operations. Passengers should check the current flight status with their airline before traveling. “The security checks for passengers are not affected by this strike and are open as normal,” the airport company said.
The union wants to achieve higher wages for the approximately 25,000 employees at airports. The employers of private security service providers are represented by the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS). Despite rapprochement, no agreement was reached in five rounds of negotiations. “The employers recently presented an improved but still inadequate offer. That’s not how we come together,” explained Verdi negotiator Wolfgang Pieper. The employees are ready to increase the pressure on employers. Negotiations are scheduled to continue on March 20th.
The cabin crew of Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cityline had previously gone on strike at 4 a.m. on Wednesday morning. The cabin union UFO had called for a strike on all Lufthansa departures in Munich by 11 p.m. on Wednesday evening. According to the airline’s estimates, 400 flights with around 50,000 passengers will not be able to take off.
The ground staff, who had also recently stopped working, were on duty on Wednesday and also helped passengers stranded in the security area who wanted to take a connecting flight. However, without a cabin crew, the flights cannot take off. Flight attendants were only seen very occasionally. Some of them had gathered in the area between terminals one and two for a rally in neon yellow high-visibility vests and vented their anger at their employer – although their number was manageable at just a few dozen.
According to a statement, affected passengers were informed by email or via the Lufthansa app. However, travelers are advised to check flight status before traveling to the airport. Current information is available on the Lufthansa website.
Last week, hundreds of Lufthansa flights were canceled due to a warning strike by ground staff organized by Verdi. Collective bargaining for the approximately 25,000 ground workers is scheduled to continue this Wednesday and Thursday.