Verdi calls on aviation security forces at Düsseldorf Airport to go on strike

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After the work stoppages at Cologne/Bonn Airport, the Verdi union called on workers at Düsseldorf Airport to go on strike. The walkout is scheduled to begin at 3 a.m. on Friday morning and end at midnight, the service union announced on Thursday.

The airport therefore appealed to all passengers to find out about the current status of their flight from their airline or tour operator before arriving at the airport. Passengers were also asked to reduce their hand luggage to a minimum in order to speed up the checks.

“A large part of the planned flights will probably have to be canceled by the airlines,” the airport warned. In any case, passengers would have to be prepared for considerable delays in passenger control.

The personnel concerned work in areas such as passenger screening, wheelchair service and personnel and goods screening.

Union secretary Özay Tarim emphasized that the announcement of the work stoppages was intended to give passengers the opportunity to reschedule at an early stage. “We have no interest in hitting the passengers with the actions.” There will definitely be significant disruptions at the airport.

Verdi is negotiating nationwide with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) for more money for the approximately 25,000 employees in the industry. Among other things, the union is demanding a wage increase of at least one euro per hour for a period of twelve months. Regionally different wages for the same work must also be ended.

In two rounds so far, “no agreement has been reached,” Verdi justified the call for a strike. The employers made an offer, “but it fell far short of the expectations of the employees and provoked protests from the employees”.

Next negotiations in early March

After the second round on February 8, the BDLS criticized “unrealistic demands for a wage increase of up to 40 percent”. The employer side, on the other hand, offered increases of between four and seven percent in two stages by the end of 2023.

“In Düsseldorf, at least 500 specialists are currently needed in order to be able to check passengers in a reasonable time and to avoid long queues,” continued Verdi. Therefore, the work of the aviation security forces must “remain financially attractive”. The next negotiations will take place on March 1st and 2nd in Berlin.