Verdi Calls for Warning Strikes at Major NRW Airports
Employees at Düsseldorf and Cologne Airports to Disrupt Air Traffic Amid Ongoing Wage Negotiations
The German trade union Verdi has announced warning strikes at two major airports in North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), specifically Düsseldorf and Cologne/Bonn, scheduled for Monday.
The union indicated that these strikes are expected to have significant impacts on domestic flight operations.
According to Verdi, work stoppages at Cologne Airport will commence late Sunday evening and continue for 24 hours, while strikes at Düsseldorf Airport will begin early Monday morning.
In Düsseldorf, various airport staff members, including those responsible for baggage transport, check-in services, and aircraft water supply, are called to participate in the strikes.
A Verdi spokesperson anticipates minimal flight activity on Monday as a result.
It is noted that security checks will not be affected by the strikes at either airport.
Likewise, at Cologne Airport, several job categories are set to participate in the warning strikes, encompassing those involved in loading and unloading aircraft, check-in personnel, and flight directors.
Similar to Düsseldorf, security operations at Cologne will remain unaffected according to Verdi.
Verdi, alongside the public sector union dbb, is currently in negotiations with federal and municipal authorities regarding salary and working hours for over 2.5 million public sector workers across various sectors, including administration, childcare, education, public transport, waste management, and airport operations.
This workforce also includes firefighters and federal police officers.
The unions are advocating for an eight percent salary increase, with a minimum increase of 350 euros per month.
They are also pushing for higher allowances in particularly demanding professions, such as in the healthcare sector, and are seeking to negotiate three additional paid leave days.
Employers have yet to present any formal proposals during the two previous rounds of negotiation.
Municipal representatives have expressed concerns about the potential strain on resources and highlighted the substantial debts faced by many cities and municipalities.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place from March 14 to 16 in Potsdam, where unions, the German federal government, and municipal representatives will convene to continue discussions.
The union indicated that these strikes are expected to have significant impacts on domestic flight operations.
According to Verdi, work stoppages at Cologne Airport will commence late Sunday evening and continue for 24 hours, while strikes at Düsseldorf Airport will begin early Monday morning.
In Düsseldorf, various airport staff members, including those responsible for baggage transport, check-in services, and aircraft water supply, are called to participate in the strikes.
A Verdi spokesperson anticipates minimal flight activity on Monday as a result.
It is noted that security checks will not be affected by the strikes at either airport.
Likewise, at Cologne Airport, several job categories are set to participate in the warning strikes, encompassing those involved in loading and unloading aircraft, check-in personnel, and flight directors.
Similar to Düsseldorf, security operations at Cologne will remain unaffected according to Verdi.
Verdi, alongside the public sector union dbb, is currently in negotiations with federal and municipal authorities regarding salary and working hours for over 2.5 million public sector workers across various sectors, including administration, childcare, education, public transport, waste management, and airport operations.
This workforce also includes firefighters and federal police officers.
The unions are advocating for an eight percent salary increase, with a minimum increase of 350 euros per month.
They are also pushing for higher allowances in particularly demanding professions, such as in the healthcare sector, and are seeking to negotiate three additional paid leave days.
Employers have yet to present any formal proposals during the two previous rounds of negotiation.
Municipal representatives have expressed concerns about the potential strain on resources and highlighted the substantial debts faced by many cities and municipalities.
The next round of negotiations is scheduled to take place from March 14 to 16 in Potsdam, where unions, the German federal government, and municipal representatives will convene to continue discussions.
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