FRANKFURT, March 13 — Workers at two airports in Berlin today said they would extend a walkout over pay that has grounded almost all flights out of the German capital.

Service workers’ union Verdi yesterday said it would call ground personnel out on strike just two days after their last walkout on Friday.

The stoppage was slated to begin at 4am (0300 GMT/11am Malaysian time) today and last until 5:00 am (0400 GMT) tomorrow, affecting some 660 flights.

But the union said in a statement today that it now plans to extend the walkout until early Wednesday morning. 

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Some 195 flights were cancelled at Schoenefeld, while 465 were affected at Tegel, airport operator FBB told AFP today.

“We ask all passengers to contact their airline and find out the status of their flight before setting off,” said FBB spokesman Daniel Tolksdorf.

Verdi wants higher pay for around 2,000 ground staff in Berlin, including those registering passengers and loading baggage.

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Employees walked out twice in February as the union ratcheted up pressure. — AFP

A display panel shows cancelled flights during a warning strike by ground services, security inspection and check-in staff at Tegel airport in Berlin March 13, 2017. — Reuters pic
A display panel shows cancelled flights during a warning strike by ground services, security inspection and check-in staff at Tegel airport in Berlin March 13, 2017. — Reuters pic