German Airport Security Workers Agree Deal, Avert Strike
January 24, 2019
The union representing German aviation security workers and the BDSL employers association have agreed a collective wage agreement to avert further strikes.
The Bundesverband der Luftsicherheitsunternehmen (BDSL) and Verdi union reached agreement on Thursday for a three year deal that will give airport security staff between 10.5 and 26.7 percent wage increases over the life of the deal. The increases depend on the region and activity performed, the union said in a statement.
The agreement, which is subject to a member vote, ends the prospect of continuing ‘warning strikes’ at eight German airports.
BDSL negotiator Rainer Friebertshäuser said “After intensive negotiations, we were able to achieve a result during the night that provides for annual increases of 3.5 to 9.77 percent over the next three years.”
BDSL said the first increase will take effect from February 1, 2019, with the second and third due on the first of January, 2020 and 2021.
Ute Kittel of the Verdi executive board said the agreement was a great success for aviation security employees. “It was a hard struggle which shows that it is worth being a trade union member.”
The sides also agreed to enter into negotiations on bonuses and the conversion of pay into additional time off immediately after the conclusion of the collective wage agreement.