Union threatens to extend ongoing strikes at German airports
German trade union Verdi has threatened to extend its strikes at Lufthansa if the airline's executive board does not significantly improve its current wage offer for ground staff.
The willingness to strike on the ground has never been as high in the past 20 years as it is now, Verdi negotiator Marvin Reschinsky said on Wednesday at a protest meeting with several hundred participants in front of the Lufthansa administration at Frankfurt Airport.
The strike sends a clear signal to the board: "We can go longer if you challenge us to."
Operations at Germany's largest airport were significantly restricted in the morning because Lufthansa, the main operator, cancelled up to 90% of its 600 planned take-offs and landings due to the 27-hour strike.
Reschinsky accused the management of treating its employees with disrespect. He said: "The two-tier society between flying personnel and ground staff must finally be brought to an end."
Demonstrators were very dissatisfied with their working conditions. One baggage handler reported: "We have 50% fewer employees than before [the] coronavirus [pandemic], but the work has remained the same. We should actually be demanding even more."
Her colleague said: "We need the increase to live on, everything has become much more expensive."
