Lufthansa has faced significant operational disruptions as ground staff at five German airports initiated a mass walkout. The 27-hour strike, which began early on February 7 and is set to last until the morning of February 8, involves ground employees represented by the Vereinigte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft (Ver.di) union.
The strike has led to the cancellation of more than 500 Lufthansa flights scheduled for departure, with the airline operating only between 10% to 20% of its planned flights. Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Munich Airport (MUC), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), and Dusseldorf Airport (DUS) are among the affected airports, with Berlin and Hamburg airports experiencing a complete cancellation of all Lufthansa departures for the day.
Passengers affected by the cancellations have the option to rebook their flights for free or convert their tickets into rail vouchers for domestic travel within Germany.
The strike is part of ongoing collective bargaining for around 25,000 Lufthansa employees, with the Ver.di union seeking a 12.5% wage increase to counteract inflation, alongside demands for increased bonuses and overtime pay. The union has expressed frustration over the lack of agreement at the negotiating table, indicating that ground employees have not received the same pay increases as other employee groups within Lufthansa.
Ver.di negotiator Marvin Reschinsky highlighted the disparity, stating that affected staff are currently about 10% worse off than they were three years ago. The union has warned that longer strikes could be imminent if a satisfactory deal is not reached. The next round of negotiations is scheduled for February 12.
This strike follows a previous mass walkout and adds to the ongoing challenges faced by Lufthansa and its passengers. Travelers are advised to stay informed and consider alternative arrangements as the situation develops.
