Surprise strike hits German airports

Travelers across Germany are facing delays and flight cancellations after security personnel staged a surprise strike in protest against low pay.

According to AFP, the strike on Monday organized by Verdi trade union involved 1,000 workers at airports in several cities including Dusseldorf, Berlin, Hannover, Bremen, Hamburg and Frankfurt.
Their demands are for the employees to receive regular working schedules, permanent contracts, fair wages and expansion of job training in the sector.
Officials say passengers may face difficulties and delays when passing airport security checks at their gates.
Labor negotiations for 15,000 workers came to a halt in November and with this unexpected strike, the union is hoping for improvements.
This method of surprise strikes is used on a common basis in Germany in an attempt to increase pressure during wage negotiations.
Germany is on the tip of falling into recession after increasing reports of a weakening economy and a growing gap between the rich and poor.
Europe plunged into financial crisis in early 2008. Insolvency now threatens heavily debt-ridden countries such as Greece, Portugal and Spain.