The possibility of Lufthansa aircraft being grounded is becoming visible again, as the negotiations that the pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), recently had with the group’s management fell through.
According to the pilots’ side, the collective bargaining committee is expected to reassess the situation within the week and plan how the workers will proceed.
Thus, the strike mobilizations are dynamically returning to the development table.
The threat of a strike is not a new development. Already at the end of September, VC members had voted by a large majority to call a strike in the event of no progress in the negotiations.
Pension impasse, discussions on subsidiaries
The framework for pilots’ pensions remains at the heart of the dispute. Despite the initial stalemate, exploratory meetings have recently been held with the aim of rekindling the dialogue. VC reports that important issues were raised, such as the prospects of the subsidiary CityLine, as well as working conditions at Lufthansa City Airlines and Discover Airlines.
The pilots say they would have liked to have had more comprehensive negotiations, which, however, was not possible. For this reason, the committee will bring up the issue of pensions again, while at the same time continuing “with the same intensity” the negotiation of the outstanding issues concerning the other subsidiaries of the group.
If no progress is made in the negotiations, thousands of passengers may be faced with flight cancellations and delays at a time when travel demand remains high.
