(The function of the arbitrator was corrected in the second paragraph. Lühr was State Councillor at the Senator for Finance of the Free Hanseatic City of Bremen).

BERLIN (dpa-AFX) - The risk of strikes at German airports is decreasing. The trade union Verdi and the employers have agreed on arbitration in the wage dispute for the approximately 25,000 employees of private aviation security service providers.

The process, led by former Bremen State Councillor Hans-Henning Lühr (SPD), is to begin on Friday, April 5 and end on Sunday, April 7 at the latest, as announced by the union and the employers' association BDLS. The recommendation is not binding for either side. Verdi may not call a strike until the end of the conciliation.

Warning strikes by aviation security staff brought various German airports to a temporary standstill in several waves last week. The personnel check passengers, staff and baggage at the entrances to the security area on behalf of the Federal Police./ceb/DP/mis