German airports reach wage deal to end strike

German airport operators have agreed with the Service Industries Trade Union Confederation (Verdi) on pay for around 25,000 aviation security workers to avert the threat of new strikes.

A pay dispute led to a series of strikes that paralyzed 11 major airports across Germany and severely affected air traffic in early and mid-March.

The wage agreement was reached after an arbitration process that began last Friday at an undisclosed location.

Verdi said it would not call for further strikes by airport security providers until the arbitration process was completed.

The Federal Aviation Security Services Association (BDLS) and union committees have until noon on April 9 to accept or reject the arbitrator's proposal.

BDLS said the proposal offers a salary increase of 13.1%-15.1% within 15 months.

Demands for higher wages amid persistent inflation have led to a series of strikes that have disrupted air and rail traffic and caused huge losses for carriers in Europe's largest economy.

Last month, Lufthansa and Verdi reached a pay deal for ground service staff at German airports, averting strikes that took place over the Easter holidays.