Lufthansa Ground Staff Strike Shuts Down Leipzig and Dresden Airports

Lufthansa ground staff at Leipzig and Dresden airports will stage an all-day warning strike on Wednesday, October 2, 2024, leading to the cancellation of all flights to and from these locations. The strike is expected to cause significant disruptions for travelers ahead of German Unity Day on October 3 and the upcoming school holidays in Saxony, which begin on October 7.

All Flights Canceled at Affected Airports

The strike will result in the cancellation of all domestic flights operated by the Lufthansa Group, including connections to major cities such as Munich, Frankfurt am Main, and Düsseldorf. This includes flights operated by Lufthansa, Eurowings, Discover Airlines, SWISS, Edelweiss Air, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, and Lufthansa Cargo. Starting from Tuesday evening, a total of 18 departures and 17 arrivals have been canceled at both Leipzig and Dresden airports.

Passengers who have booked flights to or from these airports are advised to check the status of their flights with their respective airlines. Lufthansa has announced that affected passengers will be rebooked free of charge, usually automatically, and will be notified via mobile phone.

Reasons Behind the Strike

The strike is organized by the labor union ver.di, representing the employees of Airport Services Leipzig (ASL) and Airport Services Dresden (ASD), both wholly-owned subsidiaries of Lufthansa. Since mid-June, ver.di has been in wage negotiations with Lufthansa, demanding a monthly wage increase of 850 euros, a 3,000-euro inflation compensation payment for ver.di members, and improved bonus arrangements.

Employees at ASL and ASD currently earn approximately 1,000 euros less per month than their counterparts in Western German cities like Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich. Despite the lower wages, they work longer hours and have less favorable bonus conditions. The union argues that this wage disparity is unjust, especially after Lufthansa previously announced plans to standardize working conditions across eastern and western Germany following a pay deal with ground staff in the spring of 2024.

Lufthansa’s Response and Threatened Closure of ASL and ASD

During the second round of wage negotiations on September 30, Lufthansa announced its intention to close down ASL and ASD. The company cited increased operational costs due to “disproportionately high state charges” that have made flying in and from Germany significantly more expensive. Lufthansa stated that continuing operations at these subsidiaries is no longer economically viable and suggested that external service providers would take over ground handling services at Leipzig and Dresden airports.

The union views this move as a form of blackmail and an attempt to pressure employees into accepting unfavorable terms. Paul Schmidt, the ver.di negotiator, stated that the bargaining commission is united in its refusal to maintain the current business model with low wages. “Even if the employer threatens the worst, we will not let ourselves be divided,” he affirmed.

Impact on Passengers and Timing of the Strike

The strike’s timing coincides with a busy travel period as many passengers are preparing for the long weekend starting with German Unity Day and the upcoming autumn school holidays in Saxony. Travelers planning to attend events like the Oktoberfest in Munich or those relying on feeder flights to major hubs will be particularly affected.

Passengers are encouraged to make alternative travel arrangements and stay updated on the situation through official airline communications. The cancellation of flights may lead to increased demand for other modes of transportation, such as trains and buses, potentially causing further congestion.

Union’s Stand and Future Actions

Ver.di remains steadfast in its demands for wage equality and better working conditions for ASL and ASD employees. The union has called for all employees at the two subsidiaries to participate in the all-day warning strike on October 2. Strike assemblies are scheduled to take place at both Leipzig and Dresden airports at 9 a.m.

The union accuses Lufthansa of failing to implement the promised equal working conditions across eastern and western Germany and is determined to fight for what it considers fair compensation. The outcome of this dispute could have broader implications for labor relations within the Lufthansa Group and the aviation industry in Germany as a whole.