Airbus, Aerotec workers observe strikes at German sites

Employees of Airbus Operations and Premium Aerotec went on strike on Friday in a dispute over the future restructuring of the companies, reported dpa.

According to IG Metall, a major metalworkers' union, the Airbus sites in Hamburg and Buxtehude and the Premium Aerotec site in Varel were among those affected.

Work was also expected to stop at other sites in the morning.

"We are not getting anywhere at the negotiating table," said IG Metall district leader Daniel Friedrich.

As a safety net for the approximately 13,000 employees, IG Metall is asking for a severance payment of three months' salary per year of employment with a base amount of 25,000 euros, should employees lose their jobs.

In addition, a hardship clause for IG Metall members and two-year qualification measures with continued payment of salaries are to be agreed.

Airbus boss Guillaume Faury announced in April that parts of Airbus Operations and large parts of Premium Aerotec, a German aerospace manufacturing firm, would be merged into a new subsidiary at the beginning of 2022.

In addition, a new unit is to be created that will focus on the production of individual parts and small components.

For this company, which will also serve other customers, Airbus is seeking to link up with a "strong, external partner."