Settlement Reached for Airport Ground Services Wage Dispute: Strikes Averted for Two Years
Price disagreement in airport ground handling: Resolution through mediation - Airport tariff dispute resolution: accord attained
Airport ground services are responsible for a myriad of tasks such as check-in, baggage handling, apron operations, and more, employing around 30,000 people nationwide.
In a much-anticipated ruling, the wage dispute between the United Services Trade Union (Verdi) and employers, including the Association of Municipal Employers' Associations (VKA) and the Association of Air Traffic Ground Handling Service Providers (ABL), has finally been settled after a series of negotiations. The primary bone of contention pertained to the duration of the agreement. The Verdi union had demanded the transfer of the public sector wage agreement, while the employers sought a shorter term.
The tentative resolution provides for the transfer of the public sector wage agreement to airport ground services, with an extended term until the end of March 2027. From April 2025, there will be a two-stage 5.8% salary increase, along with the introduction of shift allowances. Workers can also expect two special payments of 200 euros each for this and the following year, and an additional vacation day.
The settlement comes as a relief to millions of travelers, as mediator Sachtje emphasized that this agreement rules out the possibility of further strikes by airport ground services in the next two years, ensuring smooth flight operations.
- Airport Ground Services
- Labor Dispute
- Collective Bargaining Agreement
- United Services Trade Union (Verdi)
- Association of Municipal Employers' Associations (VKA)
- Association of Air Traffic Ground Handling Service Providers (ABL)
Enrichment Insights:
Settlement Terms:
- Duration: The agreement spans until March 31, 2027, mirroring existing public sector contracts.[1][3]
- Salary Increases:
- Phase 1: A 3.0% increase is on the table.
- Phase 2: A 2.8% increase follows.
- An additional €35 monthly raise starts from May 2026 for all employees.[1]
- Additional Benefits:
- Extra vacation day secured.
- Enhanced allowances for workers.[1]
Impact on Operations:
- Averted Strikes: The agreement prevents a repeat of the March 2024 warning strikes that caused widespread flight delays.[1][5]
- Labor Peace: The agreement guarantees no strikes for at least two years, subject to approval by tariff committees.[1][3]
- Affected Workforce: The settlement pertains to roughly 30,000+ employees responsible for aircraft services like baggage handling and refueling.[1][5]
Next Steps:
Pending ratification by tariff committees from Verdi, VKA, and ABL, the employers originally sought a 12-month contract extension with certain concessions, but Verdi's insistence on parity with public sector terms prevailed in mediation.[1][5][3]
- The settlement for the labor dispute between the United Services Trade Union (Verdi) and employers has been agreed upon, avoiding strikes in airport ground services for the next two years.
- The Collective Bargaining Agreement will extend until the end of March 2027, mirroring existing public sector contracts.
- Salary increases are part of the settlement, with a 3.0% increase in Phase 1 and a 2.8% increase in Phase 2 starting from April 2025.
- Additionally, workers will receive two special payments of 200 euros each for this and the following year, an extra vacation day, and an additional €35 monthly raise starting from May 2026.
- The agreement spans over 30,000+ employees responsible for aircraft services like baggage handling and refueling.
- The settlement rules out the possibility of further strikes by airport ground services, ensuring smooth flight operations for millions of travelers.