Strikes disrupt flights at Dusseldorf and Cologne airports as pay row continues

Public sector employees striking over a wage dispute cause huge delays and flight cancellations at Dusseldorf and Cologne-Bonn airports.

The strike in Cologne began on Sunday evening, causing 106 out of 168 take-offs and landings scheduled for the next day to be cancelled. At Dusseldorf strikes began at 3am (2am GMT) today and have been reported to have affected around one third of the scheduled 334 flights.

Passengers have been urged to seek guidance from their airline and tour operators regarding the status of their flights before arriving at the airports.

The strikers’ union Verdi said that 400 workers participated in the Dusseldorf strike, with employees working in administration, passenger and crew transportation, baggage handling, check-in staff and aircraft handling all taking part.

Pay row talks between trade union Verdi and employers collapsed in Potsdam

Verdi announced the actions, which are set to last for 24 hours, on Friday 21 February after a second round of wage negotiations in Potsdam ended with no resolution earlier in the week. The union is calling for an 8% increase to wages, around €350 per month, in addition to increased bonuses for work causing high levels of stress and three extra days off per year.

Gabriele Schmidt, Verdi’s regional leader, emphasised the increased cost of living workers are facing as well as stressful working conditions. She said: “The previous refusal by employers directly impacts the employees at the NRW airports.”

Strikes are also planned at Munich Airport

Plans for a two-day strike at Munich Airport this Thursday and Friday, beginning at midnight from Wednesday until midnight on Friday, have also been announced. 1,000 workers are reported to be taking part. Verdi spokesperson Manuela Dietz said: “Our colleagues at the airport make an indispensable contribution to the safety and reliability of air traffic – around the clock, in all weathers.”

Dietz said the strike has been publicised early to warn passengers in advance of their travel dates. Munich airport, which is Germany’s second busiest after Frankfurt, announced that “significant impacts on traffic operations are to be expected.”

Verdi aims to place pressure on negotiations in the continuing wage disputes within the public sector. The next round of negotiations are to take place  on March 14. The strikes are taking place as public transport workers have participated in industrial action in states across Germany.