Flight attendant tariffs: Lufthansa negotiates now also with Ver.di

Lufthansa has begun official negotiations with the Ver.di trade union to discuss the tariff conditions of some 3,500 seasonal flight attendants. These are stationed exclusively at the hubs in Munich and Frankfurt and, according to Ver.di, earn significantly less than the core workforce in the cabin.

There are cases in which seasonal flight attendants would not gross above the minimum monthly rate of 1500 euros, which corresponds to net salaries of less than 950 euros, said Ver.di negotiator Mira Neumaier. "With this low salary, it is almost impossible in urban areas such as Munich and Frankfurt to finance an apartment and deny its existence."

The background of the negotiation is a dispute of Lufthansa with the union Independent Flight Attendant Organization (UFO) as well as the question whether UFO can still enforce collective bargaining agreements for the cabin crew. Lufthansa has announced that it will also want to speak with Ver.di and the Cabin Union in the pipeline in the future. Ultimately, however, one strives for a uniform collective agreement for the cabin.

So far, UFO has negotiated the tariff conditions for the approximately 21,000 flight attendants of the Lufthansa core brand and, according to its own statements, has organized most of its employees. Lufthansa did not want to acknowledge the new UFO leadership until a two-day strike last week and had talks with Ver.di in parallel.

Still unclear whether new strikes threaten

So far, Ver.di has mainly represented the ground services as well as the catering segment for sale. With Christine Behle, the union also represents the deputy chairman of the supervisory board at Lufthansa.

UFO had organized a two-day strike last week at the core company Lufthansa, whereupon about 1500 flights were canceled. Lufthansa had previously failed with a temporary injunction against the strike in two instances. As a result, the Group agreed to seek a settlement of the collective bargaining dispute that would de facto equate UFO recognition as a trade union representative.

UFO calls in the tariff conflict for the Lufthansa flight attendants higher expenses and allowances as well as the better entrance for seasonal forces into regular employment conditions. Currently, the Lufthansa and UFO probe a possible arbitration. Results will be announced this Tuesday. If there is no agreement, new strikes are imminent.