Dusseldorf.
Verdi is calling on baggage and aircraft handling workers to go on strike all day at Düsseldorf Airport. What are the reasons.
The United Services Union (Verdi) has called on baggage and aircraft handling workers at Düsseldorf Airport to go on a day-long strike this Friday (January 27). Verdi announced this on Thursday. The reason: After the announcement and the decision by the NRW Ministry of Transport to no longer consider the handling company “Aviapartner” at Düsseldorf Airport for handling in the next few years when issuing licenses, around 700 jobs are at risk, according to Verdi.
According to the union, the company, which is responsible for baggage and aircraft handling at the airport, refuses a collective agreement and social plan with severance payments for employees threatened with job loss. Verdi therefore called on the employees of the baggage and aircraft handlers at short notice on Thursday to an all-day warning strike this Friday (January 27), which should begin in the early hours of the morning at 3.30 a.m. and last until Saturday, also at 3.30 a.m.
Verdi allegation: Employees have to reapply
Verdi emphasizes one point of criticism as the reason for the announced warning strike: The experienced employees of “Aviapartner” would no longer be taken on by the new providers with their current conditions, but would have to reapply for their previous jobs. As a result, the previously employed would receive insecure, sometimes temporary job offers with significantly lower incomes, according to Verdi.
After the Ministry of Transport’s award decision, Verdi asked “Aviapartner” to negotiate a collective agreement social plan. According to Verdi, however, the aircraft handler refused to negotiate a collective agreement, social plan and severance pay after the first negotiation date.
“Some of the employees have done a tough job at the airport for decades and made a profit. Now they should not receive any severance pay, so that they can then apply to new employers for the same job at the same airport with less income for temporary jobs. The employees are fighting back,” criticized negotiator Marvin Reschinsky.
Airport: “260 flight movements planned”
The company “Aviapartner” is the market leader in baggage and aircraft handling at Düsseldorf Airport with a market share of around 75 percent. From April 1, 2023, these activities are to be taken over by an already active handling company and two new handling companies that have not yet had any staff, Verdi continues. A strike rally is to take place on Friday at 10.45 a.m. in front of the NRW Ministry of Transport at Emilie-Preyer-Platz 1 in Düsseldorf.
As the airport announced on Thursday evening, airport service staff will be deployed in the terminal during the strike to help affected passengers and provide them with information. In view of the strike, passengers flying out of Dusseldorf on Friday are advised to inquire about the current status of their flight with their airline or tour operator before they travel to the airport. A total of around 260 flight movements are planned for Friday at Düsseldorf Airport.
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