Nearly all of Germany’s international airports will be hit by strikes after trade union Verdi called for public sector and ground handling employees to walk out in a row over pay.
Passengers have been warned to prepare for major disruptions to departures and arrivals in a statement issued by the union on Friday.
The strike, which will last for a full 24 hours, will take place on Monday.
Frankfurt and Munich, the country’s two busiest airports, were scheduled to operate 2,000 flights on Monday, a spokesman for the association of Germany’s airport operators (ADV) said.
Frankfurt and Munich (pictured), the country’s two busiest airports, were scheduled to operate 2,000 flights on Monday
REUTERS
In a warning to passengers, Frankfurt Airport told travellers to avoid coming to the airport and suggested for those transferring through the hub to check the status of the flight on their airline’s website.
The airport also announced there would likely not be any departures from the nation’s main centre.
It is estimated as many as 150,000 passengers will be affected by the disruptions.
Outside of the country’s two busiest airports, Stuttgart, Cologne/ Bonn Dusseldorf, Dortmund, Hannover, Bremen, Hamburg, Berlin and Leipzig-Halle are also expected to be affected by Monday’s strikes.
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Workers also went on strike in Munich last month
REUTERS
Workers are demanding an eight per cent wage rise, or a minimum increase of 350 euros (£294.01) per month.
In addition, airport staff are also calling for higher bonuses and additional time off.
These demands for a collective wage agreement would affect around 2.5 million public sector workers.
Employers have so far rejected these demands, reportedly regarding them as unaffordable.
Aviation security workers of Germany's Verdi union gather at Cologne-Bonn airport - The placard reads 'end pressure of work'
REUTERS
It comes after Verdi organised walkouts at airports across Germany last month, including a two-day strike at Munich.
Verdi said it had called the strike after a second round of collective bargaining failed last month.
Negotiations are due to continue later this month.
Elsewhere in the country, 20,000 health care workers went on strike on Thursday, while workers at kindergartens were due to strike on Friday.
