Trade union calls for strike in German airports

Airport staff throughout Germany are set to take industrial action on Thursday over a public sector pay raise fail.

On Tuesday, Germany’s main public-sector union Verdi asked ground staff, baggage handlers, and maintenance staff at most of Germany’s big airports to go on a strike during Thursday’s morning shift, which continues until 1300 GMT.

Lufthansa, which is the country’s largest airline, said significant disruption was expected during the time, adding that the airline would announce possible flight cancellations and alternative travel arrangements on Wednesday.

The strike will influence airports in Cologne-Bonn, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Stuttgart, Munich, and Frankfurt.

Trade unions say they want pay rises of 3.5 percent and an extra 100 euros ($140) per month for some 2.1 million federal and municipal public sector workers.

However, Interior Minister Thomas de Maiziere is unwilling to meet their demands, calling them “exorbitant.”

Last month, dozens of flights were canceled and thousands of passengers were delayed during a strike by private sector security staff at Frankfurt airport in central Germany.