FRANKFURT (dpa-AFX) - The relentless cycle of industrial action at Lufthansa continues. The pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has announced further walkouts at Lufthansa, its subsidiary CityLine, and leisure carrier Eurowings. Passengers must once again brace for flight cancellations. Simultaneously, the union has proposed arbitration proceedings, according to a statement released in Frankfurt.
The renewed strike is scheduled to take place at Deutsche Lufthansa AG, the freight division Lufthansa Cargo, and CityLine on Thursday and Friday. The action will target flights departing from German airports during this period, with the exception of flights to destinations in the Middle East. Furthermore, the leisure airline Eurowings will be hit by strikes on Thursday.
"The situation remains unchanged - there is no movement whatsoever from the employers' side," criticized Andreas Pinheiro, President of Vereinigung Cockpit. "Neither Lufthansa nor Lufthansa Cargo has presented an offer regarding occupational pension schemes, nor is there a viable offer for a new remuneration agreement at Lufthansa CityLine or for occupational pensions at Eurowings."
However, VC has proposed arbitration to the employers. Such a process offers the opportunity to resolve the collective bargaining disputes through an independent third party and avoid further escalation.
Lufthansa Open to Arbitration
A Lufthansa spokesperson stated: "Arbitration can be an effective way out of this conflict if it encompasses all collective bargaining issues as a whole to achieve a sustainable resolution. We are open to this."
Pilots had already walked out this past Monday and Tuesday. On Tuesday alone, hundreds of flights at Lufthansa's core brand and its regional subsidiary CityLine were cancelled. At its hubs in Frankfurt and Munich, Germany's largest airline had to scrap more than 900 take-offs and landings. A similar situation is expected on Wednesday and Thursday, as flight attendants are then set to commence their own industrial action.
Lufthansa Anniversary Ceremony Overshadowed
The waves of strikes by flight crews are also casting a shadow over the ceremony planned for this Wednesday to mark the 100th anniversary of the founding of the original Lufthansa. Unions are planning a rally in front of the corporate headquarters at Frankfurt Airport. Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Transport Minister Patrick Schnieder (both CDU) are among those expected to attend the Lufthansa event at the company's new visitor center.
The fronts between the negotiating parties remain hardened. While the VC union demands offers on the contentious issues of company pensions and income, management rejects any cost increases at the low-margin core airline. Chief Human Resources Officer Michael Niggemann had warned that every strike diminishes the size of the affected airline.
The situation is similar with the cabin crew union Ufo, which is striking for better working conditions under the framework collective agreement and seeking a social plan for CityLine employees./als/DP/he
