The ground staff of Deutsche Lufthansa began a strike on Wednesday morning, resulting in the cancellation of over 1000 flights and increased travel disruptions during the busy summer season.
The strike, which is expected to last until 6 AM on Thursday, was called by the Verdi union, demanding a pay increase of 9.5 percent for approximately 20,000 workers.
This move forced Lufthansa to cancel almost all flights at its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich on Wednesday.
Strikes and staff shortages have already forced airlines, including Lufthansa, to cancel thousands of flights and caused hours-long queues at major airports, leading to dissatisfaction among tourists eager to travel after the Covid-19 lockdown.
Last month, the Verdi union requested a pay increase of 9.5 percent, or at least 350 euros more per month over 12 months, for about 20,000 workers. The union emphasizes that workers are pressured by inflation and overburdened due to staff shortages at airports.
Lufthansa offered a raise of 150 euros per month until the end of this year and an additional 100 euros starting in 2023, plus a 2 percent increase from mid-2023, depending on the company’s financial results.
Verdi rejected the offer, stating that it is insufficient to compensate for rising inflation, which reached 8.2 percent in Germany in June.
Verdi and Lufthansa have so far held two rounds of wage negotiations. A third is scheduled for August 3 and 4.
