19 AUA flights are also affected, including all connections between Vienna and Frankfurt and Munich. At the affected airports, however, it was quiet because travelers were informed in advance and therefore did not even arrive, said a Lufthansa spokeswoman.
A spokesman for the Frankfurt airport operator Fraport also said that there was regular operation in the terminals. The Verdi union appealed again to Lufthansa to put an improved tariff offer on the table.
AUA also affected
“Lufthansa has had to cancel almost the entire flight program at the hubs in Frankfurt and Munich for Wednesday,” the airline announced on Tuesday. This was also implemented in this way, said a spokeswoman. The warning strike announced by the Verdi union had a massive impact during the peak travel season. The Lufthansa subsidiaries Swiss and Austrian Airlines (AUA) are also affected by the strike, which is expected to last until Thursday 6 a.m.
As the AUA announced before the strike began, around 2,100 passengers of the Austrian Lufthansa subsidiary are affected. Specifically, all 18 Austrian Airlines flights between Vienna and Frankfurt and Munich will be canceled on Wednesday, and another flight on Thursday. Connections between Vienna and other flight destinations in Germany remain intact. Two flights to Frankfurt were also canceled at Linz Airport.
9.5 percent more wages demanded
Verdi justified the warning strike with an inadequate offer from the employer. The union is demanding 9.5 percent more wages or at least 350 euros more per month for the approximately 20,000 ground workers at Lufthansa. According to Verdi, the previous Lufthansa offer adds up to an increase of 5.5 percent. In view of an inflation rate of seven percent, that was not enough for the union.
“The last offer from Lufthansa as an employer was not enough to avert the strikes,” affirmed a Verdi representative. Lufthansa has not improved in the last few days. “So today the workers are forced to go on strike.”
“A Sad Day”
“Today is a sad day for all people who wanted to travel, who have planned a long vacation, who have been waiting for vacation,” said a Lufthansa spokesman. The airline’s goal remains to reach an agreement with Verdi.
However, Lufthansa customers do not have to fear any further action by the Verdi union, at least until the next round of talks in the coming week. Verdi negotiator Christine Behle said on Wednesday in the ZDF “Morgenmagazin” in response to a corresponding question: “I can rule that out.” Verdi and Lufthansa want to talk again on August 3rd and 4th about the salaries and working conditions of the approximately 20,000 ground workers. Behle also defended the length of the warning strike of more than 24 hours: trying to include all employees.
Source: Nachrichten
