The service sector workers' union "Verdi" has once again called on the workers in the ground services sector at the German airline Lufthansa to strike on the coming Thursday and Friday, in a move expected to affect passengers.

The strike concerning wages and working conditions in passenger-related areas is scheduled to begin at 4 a.m. (0300 GMT) next Thursday and end at 7:10 a.m. next Saturday.

There have already been two waves of strikes in the current dispute over the wages of about 25,000 workers in the ground services sector, each of which paralyzed passenger traffic for about a day.

Last week, the service workers' union "Verdi" organized strikes in the technical departments and cargo handling at Lufthansa to force the company to present a better offer.

Verdi demanded a 12.5% wage increase and an allowance to face inflation for one year. Lufthansa has so far offered a 10% salary increase for 28 months.

The next round of talks is scheduled for March 13 and 14. Verdi expressed its readiness to hold talks earlier only if the company presents a better offer.

Verdi said that the workers who control aircraft loading or are responsible for handling cargo at "Lufthansa Cargo" started a strike last Saturday.

A spokeswoman for "Lufthansa" said the strike stopped private shipping, for example, adding that they are now trying to finish the accumulated work as soon as possible.

Lufthansa expressed its anger over the continuation of the strikes and particularly criticized the preconditions set by Verdi to return to the negotiating table, which made the company question the entire wage negotiation process.

Marvin Rischinski, chief negotiator for the Verdi union, expressed regret in a statement over the impact on passengers, adding, "In the past few days, we have deliberately excluded passenger traffic from our strikes."

Rischinski said, "However, Lufthansa tells us, by ignoring our request to negotiate, that it will only move when pressure increases further."

Rischinski added, "Passengers urgently need solutions and reliability; we and the workers are ready to provide this if a serious offer is made."