Before the festive season, the pilots' union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), issued a warning to its members at the relatively new Lufthansa subsidiary, Discover Airlines. Over the weekend, departures from Germany between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Saturday will be affected by strike action. Founded in 2021, Discover Airlines operates from Lufthansa hubs in Frankfurt and Munich with 24 Airbus aircraft.
Initially, the number of passengers affected wasn't clear, but the airline did adjust some flights and provide individual notifications. The strike's rationale stems from unresolved negotiations regarding the first collective agreement for pilots at the young subsidiary. The VC had previously expressed optimism for reaching a partial agreement, but the employers' tactics of withdrawing concessions and demanding new bargaining conditions frustrated the union's efforts.
Despite the union's displeasure, Discover Airlines assured passengers that they would be accommodated, even as their parent company, Lufthansa, would handle flights in Munich. The union sought secure framework conditions for cockpit staff, whereas the company touted advanced talks and a clear intention to progress in January and quickly reach a conclusion.
While the scenario described here is specific to Discover Airlines, it highlights the common challenges faced by airlines and their employees in negotiating collective agreements. These negotiations often involve complex components, such as salary increases, working conditions, and responsive measures to shifts in the market and economic conditions.
