Lufthansa pilots, O’Hare airport workers on strike affecting thousands of flights

Lufthansa pilots, O’Hare airport workers on strike affecting thousands of flights

CHICAGO — Workers at Chicago’s O’Hare International Airport are expected to walk off the job over union rights and an hourly wage of $15. Meanwhile across the globe, Pilots at German airline Lufthansa are on strike again after a two-day break in their campaign of walkouts.

About 500 workers have committed to the strike on Tuesday. They include cabin cleaners, janitors, wheelchair attendants and baggage handlers.

The workers are employed by private contractors. Strike organizers say many work for minimum wage. They’re trying to unionize with the help of Service Employees International Union Local 1.

Organizers say they expect delays and disruption, particularly for United and American airlines. But Chicago Department of Aviation officials say they don’t anticipate disruptions.

The strike is part of a nationwide campaign for higher hourly wages, including for workers at other airports and fast-food restaurants. Thousands plan to walk off the job at McDonald’s restaurants.

Pilots at German airline Lufthansa are on strike again after a two-day break in their campaign of walkouts.

The company has cancelled 816 short-haul flights scheduled for Tuesday. The walkout by the Cockpit union is to be followed Wednesday by a strike hitting both short-haul and long-haul services.

Lufthansa has cancelled 890 flights scheduled Wednesday.

The strikes follow four consecutive days of walkouts last week. Lufthansa and Cockpit are far apart in a pay dispute that has dragged on for more than two years.

Lufthansa on Monday failed to persuade a Munich court to issue an injunction blocking the latest strike. The company says that around 82,000 passengers will be affected by Tuesday’s walkout and 98,000 by Wednesday’s.

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