Strike on the horizon? Budapest Airport dispute escalates as wage talks collapse

Strike might be on the horizon at Budapest Airport as a seven-day collective labour dispute has concluded without an agreement between the employer and employee representatives.

Budapest Airport’s management and unions failed to reach an agreement after seven days of collective labour negotiations, leaving employees dissatisfied with a unilateral 4% wage increase, AIRportal.hu reports. Unions, including the United Aviation Union (Légiközlekedési Egyesült Szakszervezet, LESz), argue the raise is inadequate given Hungary’s inflation and the airport’s record profits—HUF 30 billion (EUR 75 million) in 2023 and 17.6 million passengers handled in 2024.

Workers demand a minimum 10% hike (15% for fuel service staff), retroactive to January 2025, alongside improved bonuses and working conditions.

Wage disparity and state ownership concerns

While management highlights a 55% average wage increase since 2022, unions note that recent offers lag behind inflation. Level III workers (gross monthly: HUF 700,000–900,000/EUR 1,745–2,245) have faced stagnant bonuses since 2018. Moreover, since Hungary’s 2024 repurchase of an 80% stake (EUR 3.1 billion) in the airport, unions expected better labour relations but allege the state-backed management remains inflexible.

Strike threat looms

Unions warn of a potential strike—the first since 2008—if no improved offer emerges. The dispute mirrors recent airport labour unrest in Germany, where surprise strikes disrupted operations. Budapest Airport’s workforce, already strained by understaffing amid rising passenger traffic, may escalate protests in the coming days.

The management’s stance

The airport insists its benefits package is competitive, citing past raises (e.g., 13–15% in 2022). However, unions call for transparency, noting the 4% hike costs “just a fraction” of annual profits.

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