Airport workers strike across Germany

Workers at airports across Germany have declared a short strike after wage negotiations stalled. Flight delays are expected. Security workers are striking Monday at 10 airports across Germany, the ver.di union has announced. The strikes started in the early morning and are expected to go until midday. "Late flights and delays are to be expected," said ver.di spokesman Christoph Schmitz. The work stoppage was called after negotiations on a general wage contract stalled. Personnel responsible for baggage and passenger checks are to go on strike at the Frankfurt, Baden-Baden/Karlsruhe, Berlin-Tegel, Berlin Schönefeld, Bremen, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne-Bonn and Stuttgart airports. Exact times for the strikes were not released for all airports and the number of delays was not immediately known. "We're aiming to hit the employers," which is why the strike was called on short notice, said Schmitz. A spokesman for Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt, said it would verify the strike and take "essential measures." Ver di is demanding regular working schedules, indefinite terms of employment and fair wages. The union represents some 15,000 security personnel at German airports, it said. The German national security association and ver.di could not reach a wage agreement after negotiations failed last month. "Once again the employers did not respond to our request for a comprehensive package, but instead put on a filibuster," said Andreas Sander a ver.di representative. Talks are expected to resume January 15.