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Strike in the Düsseldorf terminal building: increases in hourly wages of up to 40 percent?
Photo: David Young / dpa
The tariff conflict in the aviation security industry is now also affecting travelers.
Around 80 departures have been canceled at Düsseldorf Airport due to a warning strike by security personnel.
This was announced by the airport.
Around 60 arrivals were also canceled by airlines.
"Passengers have had to be prepared for significant delays in passenger control since the start of operations," wrote the airport.
Pictures from the terminal show long queues of people who are apparently affected by the failures.
Numerous strikers also gathered in the counter hall wearing yellow vests.
The airport asked passengers to check the status of their flight with their airline or tour operator before arrival.
In addition, hand luggage should be reduced “to a minimum” in order to speed up the controls.
Around 280 flight movements were actually planned for today at Düsseldorf Airport, with a total of almost 27,000 passengers.
Ver.di expects delays in Frankfurt
The Ver.di trade union had called on employees in the airport's aviation security area to stop working on Friday between 3 a.m. and midnight.
According to Ver.di, the warning strike affects, among other things, the passenger control, the wheelchair service as well as the personnel and goods control.
A spokesman said there was "a very high level of strike participation."
There was also a rally at 6 a.m.
Frankfurt Airport was also hit by a warning strike by private aviation security forces.
Like a temporary strike in the middle of the week at Cologne/Bonn Airport, this initially had no noticeable consequences for passengers.
"We do not see any effects on air traffic," said a spokesman for the operator Fraport.
The Verdi union started the actions at 6 a.m. and limited them to areas outside of passenger controls.
In addition to a security service provider, the freight controls should also be on strike during the day.
A Ver.di spokesman therefore expected delayed departures.
The end of the actions was scheduled for Saturday morning.
The warning strike hits the airports in a sensitive phase: Aviation is one of the sectors hardest hit by the corona crisis - and was still struggling in 2021.
The airports were not even half full in the summer.
Ver.di justified the most recent walkout with the fact that the previous offer in no way reflects the current price development.
In two rounds of negotiations for the around 25,000 security forces at airports nationwide, there has therefore been no agreement so far.
Ver.di had organized warning strikes at several airports last week.
The union wants to continue negotiations with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) on March 1st and 2nd in Berlin.
Ver.di demands a wage increase of at least one euro per hour for the aviation security forces for a period of twelve months.
In addition, the salaries of baggage and staff inspectors are to be raised to the level of those employed in passenger screening.
The union is also demanding a nationwide uniform fee for aircraft security and boarding pass control personnel.
The BDLS criticized that increases of up to 40 percent per hour were now being demanded from an ailing industry.
Air traffic is also likely to face further massive restrictions with the Ukraine war.
