Munich Airport: New warning strike on Wednesday
Lufthansa’s ground staff just went on strike for a day – with success: the union and the airline came together on a collective agreement. Now it could be uncomfortable for one or the other passenger at Munich Airport. From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., employees of Swissport Losch, a ground handling service provider, will stop working on Wednesday.
Ground service clears machines
They heave suitcases on and off the plane, bring fresh water and empty the toilets, pick up passengers from planes by bus. And without her OK, no pilot is allowed to move the machine towards the runway. The ground handling services handle the aircraft.
There are two services at Munich Airport. One of them is the private provider Swissport Losch. Since the current collective bargaining round has not led to any result so far, the Verdi die union is now calling for a five-hour warning strike.
Several airlines affected
The walkout affects, among other things, the city line of Lufthansa with its European connections, Eurowings, Air Canada, American Airlines, Air France and also flat-rate airlines. Most start in the morning or in the evening from Munich. Verdi does not rule out that machines will be delayed in the air or not at all. Even if the strike is only in Munich, it could also mess up the flight schedule elsewhere.
Members want 15 euros an hour
The conflict is about the income of around 650 increases at Swissport Losch. Verdi charges at least 15 euros per hour. The private service provider recently offered 14.09 euros at the lowest level. Not enough – according to a member survey. the thin staff would die working at the limit – or not for five hours on Wednesday.
Airport: Passengers should inform themselves
The airport warned that there could be flight cancellations and delays in operations. The service provider works for many holiday airlines, said an airport spokesman. Passengers should check with their airline or tour operator.
Swissport says the company offered eight percent and a one-time payment of 250 euros on Friday and increased its offer to 10.1 percent on Tuesday. That comes close to the Verdi requirement of eleven percent. Verdi should cancel the warning strike.