Airline turbulence: Pilots' union strikes at Lufthansa subsidiary Discover
The cockpit crew union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), has issued a call to arms for its members to stage a warning strike at Lufthansa subsidiary Discover on Saturday. Between 8 a.m. and 1 p.m., flights involving Airbus A320 and A330 aircraft will be affected by the industrial action. The reason for the strike? A stalemate in negotiations for the first collective agreement at Discover.
On the eve of the strike, the VC reported that progress had been made towards reaching a partial agreement with the employers – until the latter employed some ruse. "By pulling concessions from the table again and at the same time demanding new conditions for collective bargaining, the employers have employed stalling tactics up until the very end," VC lamented. A secure working environment is a top priority for cockpit staff.
By the way...
The Cockpit union, a fellow aviation industry player based in Germany, has thrown its weight behind the VC, warning that air traffic disruptions at Frankfurt's airport could ensue if the conflict between Lufthansa and Discover's pilots' union isn't resolved.
Lufthansa, a major German employer in the aviation industry, has been forced to contend with a vexing labor dispute that could lead to fines. The company's subsidiary's pilots are demanding better compensation, leading to a warning strike.
The fine print
Flights involving the A320 and A330 fleets at Discover could face delays or cancellations during Saturday. The strike, initiated by the Cockpit union, could throw a wrench in travel plans for many, highlighting the importance of resolving the wage negotiation process between Lufthansa and its subsidiaries.
The German government and regulatory bodies should remain vigilant, ensuring that the situation between Lufthansa and its subsidiaries doesn't escalate any further, safeguarding the interests of both the airlines and their employees.
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Additional Insights
In Germany, verdi, another trade union, has called for a 24-hour strike at Cologne-Bonn and Düsseldorf airports. The unions are pushing for an 8% salary increase and additional compensation for demanding work conditions. Finnair, a Finnish airline, is engaging in change negotiations with its pilots. The negotiations focus on the potential for furloughing or terminating up to 90 pilots and the introduction of stand-by duty into pilots' contracts.
