Catherwood LibraryILR School

Members of the Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft, a German trade union colloquially known as “Verdi”, have heavily criticized the upper management of Air Berlin for their decision to delay determination of the future of the company in the midst of attempts to sell the business. Following years of steady losses for Air Berlin and a recent major investor’s devastating pullout, the employment of nearly 8,000 people is at stake. While the administration of Air Berlin finished accepting bids for the company at 2:00PM today, they have decided to postpone any definitive decision regarding the direction management will be taking until the day after Germany’s national election, September 25th. Verdi spokespeople have widely regarded this choice as disrespectful of the thousands of livelihoods dependent on Air Berlin’s resolution, especially given the implication that politics could significantly impact their decision.