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German airports reach agreement to end strike action

April 8, 2024

Airport operators in Germany have agreed on a deal with security staff after a series of strikes at some of the country's biggest airports.

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A passenger looks on as multiple flights are cancelled from the schedule
The two sides say they have accepted a deal put forward by mediatorsImage: Lando Hass/dpa/picture alliance

The German trade union Verdi has made a pay agreement covering some 25,000 security staff to avert more strike action.

A dispute with airports has led to a series of strikes at some of Germany's busiest hubs, with a large number of flights canceled on numerous strike days.

The agreement comes after an arbitration process that was launched on Friday at a secret location.

What we know so far

Verdi had said it would not call for any further work stoppages by security service providers until the end of the arbitration process. Committees of the BDLS employers' association and the union have until noon on Tuesday to accept or reject the arbitration recommendation.

BDLS said the recommendation stipulated wage increases of between 13.1% and 15.1% within 15 months.

Verdi negotiator Wolfgang Pieper said the issues being tackled included salary increases and bonuses for trainers and managers.

Demands for higher wages amid stubborn inflation have led to a series of disruptive and costly stoppages affecting air and rail travel in Europe's largest economy. 

Strike disrupts air travel in Germany

The strikes paralyzed 11 airports across Germany and affected air traffic in early and mid-March.

Last month, the airline Lufthansa and Verdi reached a wage deal for ground staff at German airports, averting potential Easter holiday strikes. That followed months of strike action at German airports which saw the mass cancellation of flights.

rc/ab (dpa, Reuters)

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