The ver.di union is intensifying the industrial action at German airports: in Frankfurt and Hamburg it also called on security forces to go on warning strikes on Thursday. Then there are also strikes by the Lufthansa ground staff.
In addition to the strike by Lufthansa ground staff on Thursday, the ver.di union also called on the aviation security forces in Frankfurt and Hamburg to stop work. The union in Berlin announced this.
This means that passengers at these airports must expect even greater restrictions. Aviation security guards are employed by private companies who, on behalf of the Federal Police, check passengers, staff and luggage at the entrances to the security area.
So far no agreement on higher wages
The union explained that the strike was intended to signal to employers that the current offer needed to be improved. In the five rounds of collective bargaining with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) so far, no agreement has been reached on higher wages for the industry’s approximately 25,000 employees nationwide. A sixth round of negotiations is scheduled for March 20th.
The employers had recently presented an improved, but still inadequate offer, said ver.di negotiator Wolfgang Pieper. “We don’t get along like that.” This time they are only putting pinpricks, but an expansion of the strike measures cannot be ruled out. “Employers are called upon to finally present a substantially improved offer.”
Employers want a 24-month term
Ver.di is calling for an hourly wage increase of 2.80 euros over a period of twelve months, with overtime bonuses starting more quickly from the first hour of overtime. “Our goal remains to permanently compensate for the employees’ loss of purchasing power,” emphasized Pieper.
According to their own information, the employers from the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies have offered 2.70 euros in three stages with a term of 24 months. In addition to compensating for inflation, this also means an increase in real wages, explained BDLS negotiator Frank Haindl.
Lufthansa is expecting massive cancellations
The aviation security forces group is represented by ver.di and has high strike power. According to estimates by the industry association ADV, around 1,100 flights were canceled during the first wave of warning strikes on February 1st at eleven major airports because passengers could no longer get into security areas. Around 200,000 passengers were affected.
The industrial action among the security forces on Thursday runs parallel to strikes among Lufthansa ground staff. In the technical areas, the strike is scheduled to begin on Wednesday evening and continue until Saturday morning at 7:10 a.m. Passenger flights are particularly at risk on Thursday and Friday.
Even before the restrictions were tightened, Lufthansa had expected massive flight cancellations, especially at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. Around 1,000 flights were to be canceled on Thursday and Friday and around 100,000 passengers were expected to be affected, a company spokesman said.