Lufthansa Ground Staff to Strike Over Pay Demands

Ground Staff at Lufthansa Set to Strike

Ground staff at Lufthansa, Germany’s leading airline, are planning a strike on Tuesday, according to the Verdi union. This move comes amidst demands for higher wages, further adding to the ongoing industrial action experienced in Germany’s transport sector.

Details of the Planned Strike

The strike, scheduled to commence at 4 a.m. (0300 GMT) on Tuesday and conclude at 7.10 a.m. (0610 GMT) on Wednesday, is set to impact several major airports including Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, Duesseldorf, Cologne, and Stuttgart.

Reaction from Lufthansa

Michael Niggean, the executive board member responsible for human resources at Lufthansa, expressed disappointment over the planned strike, highlighting the inconvenience it would cause to both customers and staff. He mentioned that the airline had made a comprehensive offer during negotiations, which was ultimately rejected by Verdi.

Previous Impact of a Similar Strike

It is important to note that a similar strike in early February resulted in the cancellation of 900 out of 1,000 planned flights, affecting around 100,000 passengers. This demonstrates the potential widespread impact of such industrial action on both travelers and the airline’s operations.

Demands for Wage Increase

Verdi, representing 25,000 ground staff workers, is demanding a wage hike of 12.5% or a minimum of 500 euros ($544.30) per month over a year, accompanied by a one-time payment of 3,000 euros to combat inflation. These demands reflect the ongoing negotiations within different groups of Lufthansa employees on collective bargaining agreements.

Impact on Germany’s Economy

The looming strike at Lufthansa is part of a series of nationwide strikes affecting air travel, railways, and public transport, pointing to significant labor-related challenges in Germany, which is the largest economy in Europe.