As of: March 5, 2024 6:37 p.m
Ver.di is intensifying the planned warning strike in air traffic. In parallel with the strike by Lufthansa ground staff, the union is also calling on aviation security forces in Hamburg and Frankfurt to stop work on Thursday.
Hamburg Airport has therefore canceled all departures for Thursday. According to the information, incoming flights can also be affected. Actually, 284 flights with a total of around 36,000 passengers were planned for Thursday. The aviation security forces called on strike by ver.di on Tuesday are employed by private companies that check passengers, staff and luggage at the entrances to the security area on behalf of the Federal Police.
On Monday, the union had already called on all Lufthansa ground staff to go on strike on Thursday and Friday of this week. In addition to Hamburg Airport, Hanover Airport is also affected by this.
Lufthansa ground staff are to go on strike for two days
The warning strike by Lufthansa ground staff is scheduled to begin in areas close to passengers on Thursday at 4 a.m. and end on Saturday at 7:10 a.m. Because of the strike, several flights in Hamburg will also be canceled on Friday. Connections to and from Frankfurt and Munich are affected. Passengers affected by the strike are asked by Hamburg Airport to find out about cancellations and rebooking options from their airline.
There will be no Lufthansa flights at Hanover airport on Thursday and Friday. “As with previous strikes, all Lufthansa connections to and from Munich and Frankfurt have been canceled on Thursday and Friday,” said a spokeswoman for the airport.
Collective bargaining dispute affects 25,000 ground workers
In the ongoing collective bargaining dispute for around 25,000 ground workers, there have already been two waves of warning strikes, each of which paralyzed passenger traffic for around a day. Last week, ver.di went on strike at Lufthansa parts of the company’s technology and cargo handling departments in order to force an improved offer from the company.
Ver.di demands increased supply
So far the next round is scheduled for March 13th and 14th. ver.di is only willing to hold earlier discussions if the offer is increased. According to ver.di, employees who control the loading of machines at Lufthansa Cargo or are responsible for handling freight went on strike on Saturday. According to a Lufthansa spokeswoman, there were, for example, acceptance stops for special cargo due to the warning strike. We are now trying to clear the backlog as quickly as possible.
Lufthansa outraged
Lufthansa reacted angrily to the strike announcement and criticized ver.di’s preconditions for returning to the negotiating table. The group therefore questioned the collective bargaining as a whole. Ver.di negotiator Marvin Reschinsky regretted the impact on passengers in a statement: “In the past few days we have deliberately skipped passenger traffic with our strikes. However, by ignoring our request to negotiate, Lufthansa is telling us that it will only move when the Pressure continues to increase. Passengers urgently need solutions and reliability. The employees and we are ready to make this happen with a serious offer.”
Further information
The strike in freight transport should begin on Wednesday evening, GDL boss Claus Weselsky explained in the morning. Further strikes could follow if necessary. (03/04/2024) more
The strike in various technical areas is expected to last until Friday evening. There could soon be another strike at the Lufthansa subsidiary Cityline. (02/29/2024) more
The ground staff at the airport went on strike on Friday. However, flight operations with take-offs and landings were largely normal. (02/01/2024) more
If a flight is canceled or delayed, travelers are entitled to alternative transport and, in some cases, compensation. more
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Hamburg Journal 6:00 p.m. | 03/04/2024 | 6:00 p.m