The date is still unclear
The next strike is looming at Lufthansa
February 1, 2024, 4:01 p.m
After the strike is before the strike: Lufthansa travelers will probably have to be patient in the coming weeks. After the flight attendants, the ground staff also announced that they wanted to stop working due to the collective bargaining dispute. Just when is still unclear.
After the strike at several German airports, Lufthansa travelers must expect further flight cancellations in the near future. The ground staff could stop work in the collective bargaining dispute between the Verdi union and Lufthansa, explained Verdi negotiator Marvin Reschinsky. “A strike is very likely. The only question left is whether it will take place before or after the third round of negotiations scheduled for February 12th.”
The feedback from the workforce to Lufthansa’s latest offer is negative. Around 200 Verdi collective bargaining ambassadors held discussions with colleagues these days. The decision on a strike will be made on Monday. Strikes by ground workers had a massive impact on flight operations during the last collective bargaining round. In July 2022, a strike by ground staff largely paralyzed air traffic at the Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich.
Verdi is demanding 12.5 percent more salary, at least 500 euros per month, for a twelve-month contract for the approximately 25,000 employees of Lufthansa AG, Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo. In addition to further increases in the cost of living, the union’s arguments include the company’s good earnings situation and high workload due to a lack of staff.
Lufthansa’s offer means a salary increase of less than two percent for 2024, which is unacceptable, Reschinsky explained. Lufthansa puts its offer at over 13 percent over a period of three years, in addition to inflation compensation bonuses of 3,000 and 2,000 euros.
The cabin crew could also go on strike
A strike is also in the air among Lufthansa’s 19,000 flight attendants. The cabin union UFO broke off negotiations this week because of an offer that was too low, which would provide around three percent more money per year. A Lufthansa spokesman said that this was only the initial offer, which had been substantially further developed. “We therefore lack any understanding for the demolition at this time.” The union should return to the negotiating table.
Lufthansa human resources manager Michael Niggemann told Handelsblatt last week that the double-digit salary demands from Verdi and the cabin union UFO were not realistic. “If we as the Lufthansa Group want to continue to have good development for our customers and employees, we need deals that can stand up to competition.”
According to the airport association, a one-day strike that Verdi called on security staff at eleven German airports this Thursday has already caused cancellations and delays on more than 1,100 flights, affecting around 200,000 passengers.