Lufthansa Pilots Vote in Favor of Strike Action

Passengers of Lufthansa, the parent company of the Austrian airline AUA, should prepare for potential strikes by pilots in the coming weeks. In a recent ballot conducted by the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), a significant majority of eligible members expressed their support for strike action, as announced by a spokesperson on Tuesday. While a specific date for the strike has not yet been disclosed, the union's negotiating committee will determine the next steps.

Historically, extensive pilot strikes at Lufthansa have led to the cancellation of nearly the entire flight schedule during the affected periods. Following the strike vote, Lufthansa has indicated its willingness to engage in further negotiations, although it has noted limited financial flexibility. Union representatives from VC have expressed their desire to resume discussions, emphasizing that viable solutions can only be reached at the negotiating table. However, the vote in favor of a strike does not expand the company's available options, according to Lufthansa's personnel chief Michael Niggemann, who underscored the need for a resolution that aligns with the economic realities of the core airline, which has been unprofitable for some time.

Participation in the strike vote was notably high, with 90% of Lufthansa pilots and 95% of pilots from Lufthansa Cargo casting their votes. Of these, 88% and 96%, respectively, supported the call for strike action, successfully meeting the 70% threshold required for approval. Previously, the Lufthansa pilots had staged a one-day strike in 2022.

The current labor dispute centers around the pension plans for approximately 4,800 pilots. Initially, the union demanded a tripling of the employer's contribution to the pension scheme, which was later modified during seven rounds of negotiations, but no agreement was reached. A representative from the negotiating committee highlighted the importance of pension provisions for pilots, equating their significance to that of statutory retirement benefits. The union now expects Lufthansa to take the workforce's signals seriously and present a negotiable offer regarding employee pension plans.

Furthermore, Lufthansa is undergoing a stringent restructuring process amid ongoing financial challenges. CEO Jens Ritter has stated that the company lacks the resources to enhance the already substantial pension benefits. On Monday, the Lufthansa board reiterated its strategic plan to transfer smaller aircraft and associated pilot positions to other airlines with significantly lower labor costs, projecting that by 2030, around half of its short and medium-haul jets will operate under external carriers. To facilitate this transition, the company has established subsidiaries such as Discover and City Airlines.

Internally, both VC and the flight attendants' union UFO have opposed these strategic decisions, with UFO also declaring its negotiations unsuccessful. However, it is important to note that strikes cannot be called against strategic business decisions, as these are not covered by collective agreements.