Berlin, February 22, 2025 – The Europe Today: The Verdi trade union has announced a 24-hour strike at Düsseldorf International and Cologne-Bonn airports starting Sunday night into Monday as part of an ongoing wage dispute for public sector employees.
The strikes will begin Sunday evening at Cologne-Bonn Airport and Monday morning at Düsseldorf International Airport, significantly impacting passenger flights.
Background of the Strike
The industrial action follows unsuccessful wage negotiations between Verdi, the civil service union, and public sector employers at the federal and municipal levels. The second round of negotiations in Potsdam on Tuesday ended without a resolution.
Verdi demands:
- An 8% salary increase or a minimum of €350 per month
- Higher bonuses for particularly stressful work
Verdi regional director Gabriele Schmidt stated that employees face intense workloads, staff shortages, and high physical demands, emphasizing that their work involves significant time pressure and responsibility for passengers and technology.
Impact on Major Airports
- Düsseldorf International Airport: Germany’s fourth-largest airport, handling over 19 million passengers in 2023 and a key hub for Eurowings.
- Cologne-Bonn Airport: Germany’s sixth-largest airport, serving over 10 million travelers annually, and the country’s third-largest freight hub.
Verdi has warned that further industrial actions may be expanded nationwide before the next round of negotiations on March 14.
