Lufthansa is once again at the center of labor unrest in Europe. Two key unions, representing pilots and cabin crew, have called for separate but coinciding strikes that threaten to significantly paralyze the group’s operations in Germany this Thursday, February 12.
Pilot Strike: Pension Conflict Returns to the Forefront
The German pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), announced a 24-hour strike that will affect:
- Lufthansa (the group’s flagship airline in Germany).
- Lufthansa Cargo.
According to the union’s statement, all flights departing from German airports on Thursday will be impacted. The conflict centers on the pension system. VC noted that its members voted in favor of strike action in late September as a means of pressuring the company for more generous retirement benefits. Although negotiations have resumed since then, they have been intermittent and lacked concrete results, leading the union to activate this industrial action.
Lufthansa CityLine Under Pressure: Crew Strike Over Closure of Operations
In a parallel move, the cabin crew union UFO has called for a strike specifically affecting Lufthansa CityLine, the group’s regional subsidiary. This protest is driven by two key factors:
- The planned closure of CityLine operations.
- The employer’s refusal to negotiate a collective social plan.
UFO confirmed that all CityLine flights from the following airports will be affected:
- Frankfurt, Munich, and Hamburg.
- Bremen, Stuttgart, and Cologne.
- Dusseldorf, Berlin, and Hanover.
Lufthansa’s Response: Criticism of Short Notice and Call for Dialogue
The company’s reaction was immediate. A Lufthansa spokesperson described the announcements as “extremely untimely” and “disproportionate,” highlighting the direct impact on passengers.
Marc Baron, a spokesperson for the group, was clear in his message:
“Sustainable solutions can only be found through dialogue; strikes should always be a last resort.”
Baron added that Lufthansa is ready to resume talks at any time and urged the unions to return to the negotiating table. Meanwhile, the airline assured that customers will be notified automatically if their flights are affected.
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