Aviation security workers at German airports start one-day strike
A one-day strike by German aviation security workers at major airports was launched late Wednesday.
The night shift at Cologne/Bonn Airport went on strike on Wednesday evening at 9 pm (2000 GMT), Verdi union secretary Özay Tarim confirmed. He said 100% of passenger screening workers there took part in the industrial action.
The strike is due to start at midnight at other airports, such as in Frankfurt and Düsseldorf.
In total, the strike which is due to last until late Thursday evening, will affect eleven major German airports. It is expected to cause widespread disruption to passenger air service.
Other airports, including in Munich and Nuremberg, are not affected by the strike as security staff there are public sector workers covered by a different union contract.
A total of 1,100 flights have been cancelled or delayed, affecting an estimated 200,000 passengers, according to the German airport industry group ADV.
The Verdi trade union called the strike amid collective bargaining talks with private aviation security firms. The union is demanding pay increases and other benefits for roughly 25,000 airport security staff.
Germany has been hit by a series of labour strikes in transport over the past week.
