Court stops Fraport election: Suspicion of fraud comes to a head!

Court stops Fraport election: Suspicion of fraud comes to a head!

The union dispute at Frankfurt airport operator Fraport could take more exciting turns than many had hoped. On November 4, 2025, the Hesse State Labor Court stopped the ongoing works council election. The reason for this drastic decision are irregularities in the election preparation that could not simply be ignored. The vote, which began on Tuesday morning, is now interrupted and a new election date is currently a long way off - it could be six weeks at the earliest.

In the background of this dispute, a conflict is brewing between the Verdi and Komba unions over dominance in the works council. The committee is intended to represent over 16,000 employees of Fraport AG and its subsidiaries. Since the last works council elections, where Komba won 31 seats and Verdi was only able to appoint four of a total of 39 works councils, it has become clear how tense the situation is. In addition, there are criminal complaints and allegations of election manipulation that are currently being investigated. Verdi successfully defended itself against the exclusion of its members, but unfortunately the list was not included in the election documents in time.

A works council with great responsibility

Bringing the concerns of employees to the forefront is the central task of a works council. As the DGB educational organization explains, it represents the interests of employees and ensures fair working conditions, fair pay and suitable working hours. Works council elections take place every four years between the beginning of March and the end of May, the next time in 2026, provided there are no further complications.

In the current situation, the resigned works council remains in office while the circumstances surrounding the election need to be clarified. The electoral board, currently dominated by Komba, suspended a list of Verdi members, contributing to the current dispute. The dispute clearly shows how important it is to ensure a fair and just election.

The regulatory situation of works council elections

The process of a works council election can vary depending on the size of the company. For fewer than 100 employees, a simplified procedure applies, while larger companies use the normal election procedure. All employees aged 16 and over are eligible to vote, while candidates must be at least 18 years old and have been working in the company for at least six months. The electoral board, which is appointed ten weeks before the end of the term of office, takes over the organization of the election and ensures that everything takes place in accordance with the applicable regulations.

As the DGB further makes clear, the proper conduct of works council elections is of great importance for employee participation in the company. In a world in which working conditions are constantly changing, it is even more important that this co-determination is actually guaranteed.

Given the developments at Fraport, it remains to be seen how the situation will develop further. Will the unions be able to resolve their differences and hold a new election? A lot of hopes are pinned on this. The fair protection of workers' interests is at stake, and this is an issue that concerns everyone.