Afternoon:
10°c
Lufthansa staff back strike call
Allan Hall in Berlin25 Jul 2008
Cabin crews and ground staff at Lufthansa have voted for strike action starting on Sunday 27th which will bring chaos for thousands of visiting businessmen
The strike is said to be "massive" and could last weeks. German media reported that Lufthansa's management had drawn up measures to ensure at least 75% of flights could continue if ground and cabin staff walked off the job - as expected - next week. But experts predict widespread disruption.
The trade union Verdi announced the results of its strike vote today to increase pressure on the air carrier in an ongoing wage dispute.
Management's emergency plan to cope with the strike would involve employees from other companies taking over check-in duties.
Lufthansa will reportedly try to counter a strike by maintenance staff by pushing all traffic through the hubs Frankfurt, Munich and Zurich.
