For the second time this month, a warning strike by ground crews has almost paralyzed Lufthansa’s operations. The AUA parent was only able to offer about 10 percent of its flights on Tuesday. More than 100,000 passengers had to change their plans. Austrian Airlines flights were not affected.
The warning strike was particularly noticeable at the hubs of Munich and Frankfurt, but Lufthansa flights were also canceled at many other airports. There were also strike actions in Hamburg, Berlin, Düsseldorf, Cologne/Bonn and Stuttgart.
The Verdi union had already called on individual groups of employees, such as technicians and IT experts, for a warning strike from Monday evening and also went on strike at a ground service provider in Munich. On Tuesday morning, employees arrived at the counters, the boarding gates or directly at the aircraft.
“We have proven that we can strike”
Together with a shortened notice period, the second strike wave has an even greater impact than the first wave almost two weeks ago, strike and negotiator Marvin Reschinsky explained. About 900 flights were canceled in early February.
The union wants to reach a conclusion during the collective labor agreement negotiations scheduled for Wednesday. “We have proven twice now that we can strike,” Reschinsky said. “It would therefore be wise to come to a conclusion now.” From the union’s perspective, the round of negotiations in Frankfurt could certainly be extended until Thursday if a conclusion is within reach.
The offer needs to be improved
The trade unionist again demanded a higher offer. Compared to pilots, the salary increases previously offered to ground crews were significantly too low. Lufthansa HR director Michael Niggemann’s comparison that the offer corresponds to a qualification in the public service is not valid. “We are not short of money at Lufthansa. And unlike in the public sector, employees still have a lot of catching up to do from the Corona period.”
Verdi demands 12.5 percent more money for his more than 20,000 employees and an inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros for a period of one year. Lufthansa recently offered the bonus and about 10 percent more salary for a 25-month term. The first increase is scheduled for December 2024. A Lufthansa spokesperson left it unclear whether the company would increase its offer on Wednesday.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
