VC stated that Lufthansa failed to present an offer regarding the pension scheme dispute, despite the current industrial action scheduled to run until Tuesday evening. The union argued that simply waiting out the conflict is not a viable solution. Against this backdrop, VC has proposed a binding arbitration procedure to resolve the collective bargaining disputes. "The situation is deadlocked," explained VC President Andreas Pinheiro. "Arbitration offers the opportunity to resolve the existing labor disputes through an independent third party and avoid further escalation."
A Lufthansa spokesperson confirmed the company's readiness to enter mediation. "We are offering arbitration on all collective bargaining issues in the interest of a sustainable resolution," the spokesperson said. This covers not only the occupational pension scheme but also transitional payments for pilots seeking early retirement. Whether the arbitration will actually materialize remains to be seen. Should the parties agree on the procedure, it would encompass Lufthansa and Cityline—where the dispute centers on higher remuneration—as well as Eurowings.
Lufthansa pilots are striking for the third time this year this week. Each day of industrial action results in hundreds of flight cancellations, forcing tens of thousands of passengers to alter or abandon their travel plans. This is incurring significant costs for the airline. On Wednesday and Thursday, flight attendants at Lufthansa and Cityline are also set to walk off the job. Their union, UFO, is fighting for improved working conditions at Lufthansa and a social compensation plan at Cityline, which faces closure. Thus far, Lufthansa has rejected all demands.
(Report by Ilona Wissenbach; Edited by Scot W. Stevenson; For inquiries, please contact the editorial management at frankfurt.newsroom@thomsonreuters.com)
