Lufthansa Ground Crew Scheduled for Strike Action

Verdi announces a strike affecting Lufthansa's ground staff across major German airports, impacting flights and negotiations over wage increases.

 

Lufthansa is bracing for significant disruptions as Verdi, the trade union, announces a one-day strike involving the airline's ground staff across several major German airports, including Frankfurt, Munich, Hamburg, Berlin, and Düsseldorf. Scheduled to commence at 4 a.m. on Wednesday, February 7, and conclude at 7:10 a.m. on Thursday, this strike is anticipated to severely impact operations, with expectations of major cancellations and delays affecting up to 90% of Lufthansa's flight schedule and over 100,000 passengers.

This industrial action emerges amid ongoing collective bargaining negotiations between Lufthansa and Verdi, representing approximately 25,000 ground staff across the airline's branches. A recent pay increase proposal from Lufthansa was rejected by Verdi, which is demanding a 12.5% wage increase or a minimum of €500 per month for the next twelve months, in addition to a one-time payment of €3,000 to offset inflation.

The planned strike, described as a "warning strike," is intended to exert pressure on Lufthansa ahead of the next negotiation round set for February 12. Verdi has indicated readiness for more prolonged strikes if their demands are not met, underscoring the gravity of the situation and the potential for further disruptions.

This action marks the fourth major strike in Germany in 2024 and adds to a growing trend of industrial actions across the country, as workers respond to wage concerns exacerbated by inflation and economic challenges. Lufthansa's critique of the strike's timing and extent reflects the tension between labor demands and operational realities, with the upcoming talks on February 12 being a critical juncture for resolving these disputes.