Lufthansa to face another strike disruption this week
Lufthansa, one of the leading airlines in Europe, is set to face more disruptions this week as ground staff announced a new strike for Wednesday. This strike follows a similar mass walkout that took place last week, which led to significant flight disruptions across Germany.
The planned strike will see Lufthansa ground employees, represented by the Vereinigte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft union, participate in an all-day walkout on February 7. The strike will last from 4 a.m. local time on February 7 to 7:10 a.m. local time on February 8. It is expected to impact Lufthansa flights at Frankfurt Airport (FRA), Munich Airport (MUC), Berlin Brandenburg Airport (BER), and Dusseldorf Airport (DUS).
The Ver.di union, which represents around 25,000 Lufthansa employees, is currently involved in collective bargaining negotiations with the airline. The union is seeking a wage increase of 12.5% to offset inflation, as well as increased bonuses and overtime pay. However, the negotiations have reached a stalemate, leading to the announcement of strikes.
Lufthansa has acknowledged the potential impact of the strike and has issued a statement saying, “Due to the warning strike called by the trade union Verdi on Wednesday and Thursday … extensive effects on the flight program are expected during this period.” The airline has also assured affected passengers that they will receive initial information about the disruptions via email or the Lufthansa app.
The Ver.di union claims that ground staff members are currently around 10% worse off than they were three years ago. The union argues that if Lufthansa were to grant ground employees the same increases as other employee groups in the company, the strike would be unnecessary. Ver.di negotiator Marvin Reschinsky stated, “However, there was no willingness to do this at the negotiating table.”
The strike by Lufthansa ground staff is indicative of the challenges faced by airline workers in negotiations for fair wages and working conditions. The aviation industry has been severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, with airlines facing significant financial losses and implementing cost-cutting measures. However, workers argue that they should not bear the brunt of these financial difficulties and that their contributions to the industry should be recognized and adequately rewarded.
The next round of negotiations between Lufthansa and the Ver.di union is scheduled to take place on February 12, 2024. The outcome of these negotiations will determine whether further strikes will occur in the future.
It is important for passengers who have booked flights with Lufthansa during this period to stay updated on the strike developments and potential flight disruptions. They should regularly check their email and the Lufthansa app for any updates from the airline regarding their flights. It is also advisable to have a contingency plan in place in case their flights are affected, such as alternative travel arrangements or accommodations.
In conclusion, Lufthansa’s ground staff is set to go on strike this week, causing potential disruptions to the airline’s flight operations. The strike is a result of failed negotiations between the Ver.di union and Lufthansa regarding fair wages and working conditions. Passengers should stay informed about the strike and its potential impact on their flights and make necessary arrangements to mitigate any inconvenience caused.