Security staff go on strike at three German airports

Germany, (dpa international), 19 Jan 2019 - Berlin (dpa) - Security staff at Cologne-Bonn and Duesseldorf airports launched a strike action early Thursday, trade union representatives confirmed, leading to more flight delays and cancellations for German travellers.  

Daylong walkouts are planned at Cologne-Bonn and Duesseldorf, with a similar action expected at Stuttgart airport as well.  

Workers at Berlin airports walked off the job earlier this week.  

The fresh industrial action will affect an estimated 110,000 passengers at the three airports, as well as freight traffic in Cologne-Bonn, where parcel service DHL has a hub.  

Flights have been cancelled for Thursday at all three airports: 130 in Cologne-Bonn, 350 in Duesseldorf and 125 in Stuttgart.  

The strikes were intended as a warning to ensure that the employers’ association makes a reasonable offer before the next round of labour negotiations starts on January 23.  

The union is calling for aviation security personnel across the country to be paid 20 euros (23 dollars) an hour.