German airport security personnel, represented by worker union Ver.di, has announced a major strike at eight German airports.
The industrial action is scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 15th, from 2 am to 8 pm local time. It will affect the following eight airports: Frankfurt (FRA), Munich (MUC), Hamburg (HAM), Bremen (BRE), Hannover (HAJ), Leipzig (LEJ), Dresden (DRS) and Erfurt (ERF).
Ver.di released a statement, saying that it is “not unlikely” that workers at more airports in Germany will join the strike.
Airlines and airports are warning that this strike will have significant effects on travellers. Lufthansa has confirmed that the security checks at Frankfurt Airport will not be staffed for 18 hours, making it impossible for passengers starting their journey in Frankfurt to reach any flights during the strike period. When asked by International Flight Network, the German flag-carrier said it has cancelled 500 of approximately 1300 flights on Tuesday.
Passengers travelling to or from any of the affected airports on Tuesday are asked to check their flight status. The effects on flight operations may go on, even after the strike has ended.
Just a few days ago, on January 10th, the security personnel also took industrial action at Dusseldorf, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart Airport. The strike affected approximately 110,000 passengers. Dusseldorf Airport confirmed to International Flight Network, that around two thirds of its 570 daily flight movements were cancelled.
Ver.di says it demands a pay rise to 20 Euro per hour for all security workers, responsible for controlling passengers and cargo, at airports in Germany.
Jakob Wert is an aviation journalist from Germany. He built up the website IFN.news and is the Editor-In-Chief of International Flight Network.
