FRANKFURT, Germany
Frankfurt International Airport stopped receiving passengers due to a strike on Friday in the security and cargo departments of the airport offices.
Jointly organized by two labor unions, the strike began at 14:00 local time and will continue through to 23:00, as the sides continue meetings for a deal. The walkout has already caused 75 out of 1,300 planned flights to be canceled.
Thousands of passengers formed lengthy queues in front of security checkpoints. Some passengers were seen having heated exchanges with airport personnel over canceled flights, while all passengers whose flights were canceled received free provisions from the airport.
The unions demand an hourly rate of 16 euros for the workers. The airport administration has raised the rate as high as 14.70 euros, but the unions declined.
Fatih Bayrak, an airport employee with eight years of experience and a member of the Komba union, says the workers are fighting for their rights.
"Airport personnel in all other states receive 16 euros an hour, while we at the Frankfurt Airport, the largest in the country, have to make do with very low rates. We are asking what we deserve; that's why we are fighting for."
englishnews@aa.com.tr
