Lufthansa: One of the major unions is calling for a strike on Wednesday, delays and cancellations are expected
More delays and cancellations can be expected in European skies on Wednesday 27 July. On Monday, one of Lufthansa’s top trade unions called on and announced ground staff to go on strike as part of a wage dispute “Lots of delays and cancellations” at an already tense time for aviation in Europe.
The Verdi union launched this call for the period from Wednesday 3:45 a.m. to Thursday 6 a.m. “increase the pressure” on management as he says he is demanding a 9.5% wage increase, according to a statement.
The first European air transport group has not yet detailed the consequences of this strike for passengers at this time, at a time when travelers are already facing long waiting times at airports and serial cancellations of flights due to staff shortages affecting the airline sector.
Almost 6,000 flights have already been canceled by the company this summer
The German company has already canceled around 6,000 flights this summer, while the first German airport in Frankfurt intends to reduce the flight schedule for “Further stabilization of flight operations”heavily disturbed for holiday departures.
On Wednesday, the strike will affect ground staff, particularly in maintenance, but also drivers of aircraft towing vehicles, essential for the smooth functioning of the airport.
“The situation at the airports is deteriorating and employees are increasingly under pressure and overwhelmed due to serious staff shortages, high inflation and the lack of a salary increase for three years”, remarks Christine Behle, vice president of the union. According to a study published by the German Economic Institute (IW) at the end of June, the German airline industry is currently short of more than 7,000 employees.
Since health restrictions were lifted earlier this year, airlines and airports have been struggling to meet soaring demand after two years of sluggish traffic due to the Covid-19 crisis, which has seen the sector lose many workers.
In France, two agreements were signed on Wednesday 20th July aimed at raising all minimum wages in aviation and simplifying the sector’s classification scheme.
