Germany: Over 1,000 flights canceled due to strike by Lufthansa staff

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The Verdi union announced the strike, which is expected to last until 06:00 am (07:00 Greek time) on Thursday, demanding a 9.5% wage increase for around 20,000 workers.

More than 1,000 flights were cancelled today due to the airline’s ground staff strike Lufthansa in Germany.

The Verdi union announced the strike, which is expected to last until 06:00 am (07:00 Greek time) on Thursday, demanding a 9.5% wage increase for around 20,000 workers.

This strike caused the cancellation by Lufthansa of almost all of its flights today to and from the two main hubs of Frankfurt and Munich.

Strikes and staff shortages have already forced airlines, including Lufthansa, to cancel thousands of flights and caused long waits at major airports for travelers eager to take a vacation following the lockdowns to contain the spread of COVID-19.

THE Diego Lapiase, who was traveling from Africa to Paris, was stranded in Frankfurt today after his next flight was cancelled.

“They say it will be rescheduled for tomorrow, but there was no one here when we arrived to tell us what to do, where to go, where to sleep,” he told Reuters TV from Germany’s busiest airport.

“We are looking to find someone from Lufthansa, but when we asked we were told that it will be very difficult to find someone from Lufthansa today at the airport. So we don’t know what to do.”he added.

Verdi last month asked for a 9.5% pay rise, or at least 350 euros a month for 12 months, for about 20,000 workers, who the union says are under inflationary pressures and strained by airport staff shortages.

Lufthansa offered an increase of 150 euros per month for the rest of the year and another 100 euros from the beginning of 2023, plus a 2% increase from mid-2023 depending on the company’s financial results.

The union rejected the proposal, saying it was not enough to offset rising inflation, which reached 8.2 percent in Germany in June.

“I can understand (the strike) because they have the biggest advantage right now, during the summer holidays,” said Julian Grudman, who would depart for the Seychelles with another company.

“But for all those who wanted to fly today, who have been looking forward to their holiday for a long time, it is difficult,” he added.

Verdi and Lufthansa have held two rounds of wage negotiations so fars. A third is planned for the August 3 and 4.

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