Frankfurt Airport Security Staff Plans Strike for Friday

A Lufthansa lounge in Frankfurt

Workers who man the security checkpoints at Frankfurt International Airport announced plans for a strike that will take place on Friday, February 21.  The move by ver.di, one of the world’s largest unions with 2.1 million members, follows a wage dispute with the federation of security firms, BDSW, or Bundesverband der Sicherheitswirtschaft.

Ver.di is trying to negotiate a higher collective wage agreement for the 7,000 security employees in Hessen, Rhineland-Palatinate, and the Saarland. Some 5,000 of those workers are employed at Frankfurt Airport.

Germany’s largest airport posted a travel advisory on its website, saying that flight delays and cancellations “are likely to occur.”  The airport said that passengers should check with their airlines before proceeding to the airport, and that they should allow extra time for their journey.

The strike at Frankfurt Airport is expected to last for most of the day.  Airport staff who were responsible for passenger, freight, and baggage screening will be off the job during that period of time.

Lufthansa, which has its main hub in Frankfurt, said it will keep passengers notified of any delays or cancellations.

(Photo: Accura Media Group)