BERLIN

A strike by airport security personnel was extended to Friday with walkouts at six German airports, causing flight cancellations and disruptions throughout the day.

The Verdi union announced that security staff stopped work on Friday at Hannover, Dortmund, Weeze, Dresden, Leipzig/Halle and Karlsruhe/Baden-Baden airports, to further increase pressure on the authorities ahead of wage negotiations next week.

The union decided to go on strike earlier this week after the fifth round of wage negotiations with the Federal Association of Aviation Security Companies (BDLS) failed to produce a result.

On Thursday, walkouts were staged at five airports, including busy, major airports in Cologne/Bonn, Hamburg and Berlin. According to the ADV airport association, the strikes forced airlines to cancel nearly 660 flights, affecting over 100,000 passengers.

The Verdi union, which represents around 25,000 security staff is demanding a €2.80 ($3.05) pay rise per hour, increased bonuses, and higher rates for overtime pay.

According to the BDLS, private security staff providers had offered €2.70 pay rise per hour in three stages, in the latest round of negotiations. Both sides are expected to return to negotiations on Wednesday next week.