The pilots of the German airline Lufthansa are calling for a new strike from Wednesday in the context of wage negotiations which had led to a first social movement and major traffic disruptions last week.
The group's management still hopes to prevent this work stoppage: it indicated that it intended to present a "
new offer
" to the pilots' union on Tuesday.
Read alsoLufthansa cancels “almost all” of its flights in Germany on Friday due to a strike
"
Negotiations continue today
" and "
Lufthansa will submit a new improved offer
," the company said in a statement, adding that possible flight cancellations for the next few days will have to be decided "
at noon
".
In the passenger branch, the strike is due to take place on Wednesday and Thursday, and until Friday for the highly profitable Lufthansa cargo branch, which has become a pillar of the group during the Covid-19 pandemic.
"
A new strike can only be prevented by a serious offer
", warned in a press release the union Vereinigung Cockpit
Last Friday, the company had to cancel almost all of its flights from Frankfurt and Munich – its two hubs in Germany – due to an initial pilot strike.
"
In the event of a strike on September 7 and 8, new massive consequences are to be expected
", according to the group.
The pilots are demanding a 5.5% salary increase this year, then 8.2% in 2023, as well as adjustments to the price list.
The group has so far offered pilots a total increase of 900 euros in two stages: 500 euros on September 1 and 400 euros in April 2023.
The new strike comes after a difficult summer for the airline industry due to staff shortages at airports and a strike by airline ground staff in late July, which also grounded hundreds of flights.
“
In these times of inflation, significant wage increases are absolutely appropriate
,” conceded group boss Carsten Spohr to reporters on Monday evening.
Europe's leading air carrier has around 5,500 pilots in its passenger and freight transport activities.
Vereinigung Cockpit is the only union representing them.
The group reached an agreement in early August with the Verdi union, which represents ground staff.
Employees will receive an increase of 200 euros per month, then an additional 2.5% at the start of 2023 and another 2.5% in July 2023.
Inflation rose again in Germany in August, to 7.9% over one year, after having chained records for a year.
Salary negotiations are expected to be tense in all sectors of activity.
In metallurgy, they will begin in mid-September and the main trade union in the industry, IG Metall, is demanding 8% wage increases.
