Berlin, February 21 (RHC)-- A strike by security personnel at Germany's largest airport, Frankfurt, has led to the cancellation of dozens of flights with travelers seeing disruptions to their travel plans.

German trade union Verdi called on members employed by private security contractors to go on strike for several hours on Friday. Verdi said that the airport employs around 5,000 people in areas such as security controls, freight checks and airport security and services.

A spokesman for Frankfurt airport's operator Fraport said there have been 41 cancellations so far, adding that even more flights might be canceled, Deutsche Welle reported. Germany's main carrier Lufthansa also said on its website that it has canceled 35 flights.

Fraport has urged passengers to check their airline's website and the traffic reports before travelling to the airport and allow extra time for their journey.

Security employees are fighting for an hourly wage increase to 16 Euros ($22) in the state of Hesse, with Verdi rejecting an offer by employers of 10-13 Euros as “far too low.” According to the union, security workers in other states receive up to around 15 Euros an hour.