Livia Spera, General Secretary of the ETF, stated, “While airlines like Lufthansa rake in record profits, the ground staff who ensure their smooth operation are treated with disdain and offered wage increases that fail to keep pace with inflation. This is not just an injustice to these hardworking individuals but a threat to the entire industry’s struggle with worker shortages. We stand in solidarity with Ver.di and urge Lufthansa and other employers to engage in meaningful negotiations that deliver fair wages and decent working conditions that keep the sector attractive to workers.”

The European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF) stands in full solidarity with the ground handling workers of Italy and its affiliate unions Filt-Cgil, Fit-Cisl, and UILTRASPORTI. It is essential for governments to support social dialogue and the rights of workers. The ETF calls upon the Italian government to honor its constitutional obligations. It is not the time to undermine workers; it’s the time to engage in meaningful dialogue to resolve these long-standing issues.