In the collective bargaining dispute among Lufthansa ground staff, the Verdi union is increasing the pressure with a three-day warning strike. According to Verdi and Lufthansa, passenger flights should not be affected by the technical employees’ strike, which began on Wednesday at 6 a.m. A Lufthansa spokesman said no flights were canceled on Wednesday due to the warning strike. No impact is expected in the coming days either. Lufthansa still recommended that passengers always check the status of their flight on lufthansa.com or in the Lufthansa app.
So far, in the collective bargaining dispute, Verdi has led two warning strikes lasting more than a day for its more than 20,000 ground staff, with hundreds of flights canceled each time.
According to Verdi, employees and trainees from Lufthansa Technik, Lufthansa Aviation Training and Lufthansa Technical Training are taking part in the current nationwide campaign. According to Verdi, around 90 percent followed the call. Lufthansa Technik is also responsible for repairing and overhauling aircraft, parts and engines for other airlines. However, the airline that is not on strike does the daily maintenance itself.
Negotiations next Monday?
Lufthansa criticized: “This short-term call in the technical companies with just twelve hours’ notice for a third so-called warning strike lasting three days is an incomprehensible and completely inappropriate escalation.” Verdi was offered to continue negotiations at any time – that still applies. “Specifically, we would like to continue the negotiations on March 4th, i.e. on the first working day after the end of the strike.” The goal remains a quick agreement. The fifth round was previously scheduled for March 13th and 14th.
According to its own information, Verdi has already asked the company to meet for further negotiations before March 13th. March 4th is conceivable, but provided “an improved offer from Lufthansa is submitted in advance,” said Verdi negotiator Marvin Reschinsky.
The union rejected a new offer from Lufthansa during negotiations last week as inadequate. The union criticized the core demand of 12.5 percent set by Verdi, but at least 500 euros more per month, not being achieved in the new offer, which is more than twice as long as the demand.
Lufthansa said it had taken a big step towards Verdi. In detail, the first of two planned table increases of 4 percent would be brought forward from December to March. In addition, the inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros should be paid out more quickly.