Easyjet has announced that it will cut its Berlin base in half due to the corona problems. That would mean the end for almost 50 percent of the workforce. Now the Verdi union is calling for a protest.

This public protest march should be directed against the planned downsizing and take place between 9 and 11 a.m. today. According to the responsible union secretary Holger Rößler, 300 people are expected in front of the Intercity Hotel at Berlin-Schönefeld Airport. While the Easyjet employees are working to keep their jobs, negotiations should also take place at the same time. For this purpose, representatives of the British low-cost airline and the staff representatives would get together, like airliners.de reported. 

"The protest action is intended to strengthen the backs of the staff representatives and the trade union collective bargaining committees," Rößler continued. Talks have already taken place in the past, but so far they have ended with no results, said the union secretary. Instead, the low-cost carrier wants to announce the first layoffs at the beginning of November. According to Verdi, in times of Corona, dismissals should only be considered in unavoidable cases - with Easyjet there is a way out. Even several. The short-time working regulation could be extended until December 31 of next year. Furthermore, one could consider extended part-time offers as well as switching to the airline's European network. Severance payments or early retirement arrangements are also possible from Verdi's point of view.

Upon request, Easyjet referred to the ongoing negotiations. At the same time, they regret “that proposals to reduce aircraft and crew are necessary for our Berlin flight operations”.