Disruption fears over strike threat

02/08/2011

Shane Gladstone

Air traffic controllers in Germany have voted overwhelmingly to strike over wages.

Some 95 per cent of GdF union members balloted backed plans to strike in a move which casts a shadow over the summer holiday plans of many travellers.

Union leaders will meet on Tuesday to thrash out whether or not the strikes will go ahead.

It is thought their decision will be made once they have weighed up the offer made over the weekend by Germany's air traffic control authority.

The union has been trying to secure a 6.5% pay rise for its 5,500 controllers, however the air traffic control authority said its new offer involves a 3.2% increase.

But it also includes a one-time payment with a smaller increase - said to be around 2% - coming next November.