On Wednesday, a number of flights were canceled again at Munich Airport due to a warning strike that took place at the ground handling service provider Swissport Losch. The Verdi union had called for a walkout between 10:00 a.m. and 15:00 p.m.
The company mentioned is a ground handling service provider and is therefore active in the areas of luggage and apron buses, among other things. Due to the warning strike, there have been delays and flight cancellations. According to an airport spokesman, the Lufthansa Group alone had to cancel around 36 take-offs and landings. Air Dolomiti, Lufthansa Cityline and Eurowings were among those affected. Holiday flights have also been cancelled, for example in the direction of Palma de Mallorca.
The Verdi union explains that the warning strike is intended to increase the pressure on the employer. After agreement was reached with Lufthansa on wage increases for ground staff, the aim is to achieve the same in Munich at Swissport Losch. The previous offer, around ten percent more wages for a period of one year and a one-off payment of 250 euros, is considered unacceptable. The employee representatives also point out that Lufthansa has agreed to an increase of around 19 percent in the lowest wage brackets. Something similar is also to be implemented at Swissport Losch.
Swissport Losch Munich GmbH & Co. KG is a joint venture between Losch and Swissport. Munich Airport is a full-fledged ground handling provider with a portfolio of passenger, baggage, freight, apron, bus and transport services. According to official information from the airport, the company currently has a market share of around 40 percent. The direct competitor is the airport subsidiary Aeroground.