by Lufthansa Flyer | Nov 21, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike |
In a move designed to help reach long-term labor peace, Lufthansa has invited the leadership of all 3 Unions that represent their employees to sit down with the airline’s leadership.
On December 2, leaders from UFO (Flight Crew Union), VC (Pilots Union), and Verdi (Ground Staff) will meet with LH so that all sides that share their expectations. Lufthansa is expected to present what their objectives are in terms of striking a balance between sustained long term success of the airline and the benefits and needs of employees.
With this meeting scheduled, it seems that the threat of strikes has been abated at least for the short term. There have also been hints along the way that strike risks should be low during the Holiday season and if the meeting is constructive on December 2, we may see the risks of strikes reduce even further.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Nov 15, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike |
After the week-long strike by the cabin crew union last week, it appears that they have not yet satisfied their appetite for crippling the airline’s operation.
In an apparent shot across the bow, the union leadership has suggested that further strikes are possible, if not likely, unless LH capitulates to their demands. One of the more popular demands include guarantees that retirees would receive 96% of their salary/benefits after they leave the airline. Bizarro World type stuff isn’t it?
No timeline for future strikes has been outlined but I suspect if there are going to be strikes, they will take place before December 8 since that marks the beginning of the Holiday Season throughout most of Europe. We wouldn’t want the union to have to work during the holidays, would we?
On average, a day of strikes costs Lufthansa approximately $11 million dollars. The impact is sizeable when you measure strikes in weeks versus days.
The airline and union are far apart on what both deem as reasonable solutions so odds are good that we’ll see picket signs again.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Nov 10, 2015 | Dusseldorf, Featured, Frankfurt, Lufthansa, Munich, Strike |
In their latest antic, the union representing LH’s flight crews has called for a complete shut down of all flights for 68 hours between November 11 and November 13 (Wednesday thru Friday).
As a result of this lunacy, LH is seeking injunctive relief from German Courts and is asking that this potential walk out be ruled illegal.
This latest strike threat would basically shut down all of Lufthansa’s operations in Munich, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt.
My gut tells me that the courts will side with Lufthansa and ban the union from this extreme action. It is unfortunate that German laws give far more power to the union than they do to the corporations that employ their membership. The playing field is far from level.
I’ll provide updates once there is any clarity to the strike actions planned for during the next 3 days.
You can also keep track on Lufthansa’s dedicated strike update page.
