by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 20, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike |
Lufthansa unfortunately is battling labor issues on two fronts at the same time.
The more ‘popular’ of the two is the ongoing rift with the union that represents the majority of Lufthansa pilots, known as Vereingung Cockpit (VC). However another battle is being fought with UFO, who represents upwards of 18,000 cabin crew employees who are not pilots.
The latter battle, with UFO, appears to be making progress as both sides have agreed to meet for negotiations some time in mid-February following a vote of the membership that is taking place this month. The crux of the disagreements between Lufthansa and UFO revolves around 2 primary issues: Cabin crew pensions and how union-member employees will be treated as Lufthansa expands its Low Cost Carrier operations when it introduces WINGS this year.
It looks as though for now any strike threat from UFO is greatly diminished but the threat remains for VC to ask pilots to go on strike on relatively short notice.
More details as they become available……
by Lufthansa Flyer | Jan 15, 2015 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike |
The union representing the majority of Lufthansa’s pilots has once again suggesting that strike are imminent in the coming days and weeks.
Little progress has been made in settling a multi-pronged dispute that includes benefits for pilots who retire early as well as the union’s dissatisfaction with Lufthansa’s labor plans for their Low Cost Carrier operations including WINGS and germanwings.
The union has stated that it will meet with its membership in the near future to determine the timing of the next wave of strikes. Typically the union has given 24-48 hours of an upcoming walkout which gives little time for LH to respond. Fortunately Lufthansa has managed the process as well as be expected as it tries to minimize the impact that passengers would feel.
I’ll provide additional updates as this latest threat develops.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Dec 13, 2014 | Brussels, Featured, Strike |
Thanks to the cancer of strikes that continues to spread throughout Europe in the past weeks, BRUSSELS Airlines has become the latest victim.
Due to a 24 hour strike by Belgium’s Air Traffic Controllers set to begin Sunday night at 10p local time, BRUSSELS has been forced to cancel ALL flights for the duration of the strike.
Apparently some of the 745 Belgocontrol employees are jealous of other striking colleagues throughout Europe and want their 24 hours of fame…..
To help passengers deal with the consequences, BRUSSELS has increased the staffing at their customer service centers to help make other arrangements. BRUSSELS has also extend their customer service center hour to accommodate those needing to amend their travels. Passengers will have the ability to rebook their travel to an earlier or later date or they can request a complete refund of their fare.
If you are in the USA and are affected by the strike you can reach their service center on 1.866.308.2230. For contact information for other countries, please visit this Brussels webpage which will give you an index to all of the contact phone numbers.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Dec 2, 2014 | Featured, Lufthansa, Strike |
What is becoming an old and frustrating tale, the Union that represents the majority of Lufthansa’s pilots has called for yet another strike on Thursday, December 4. This installment will impact long haul flights only, sparing short and medium haul travelers at least for the moment.
The strike will be in effect between 3am and midnight.
When a strike affects long haul flights, LH has usually done a nice job in accommodating passengers to other carriers as well as still having enough of their own pilots available to fly the routes. I’m optimistic that this will be the case this time.
LH has not yet released an updated timetable for Thursday that would list the affected flights. I’ll post an update once they do.
On a side note, I’m starting to wonder where the German government is during this ridiculous extortion of the airline by the union. Thursday’s strike will mark the 10th work stoppage so far this year by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union. However, it is nice to see public sentiment turning against the union since hundreds of thousands of passengers have had their travel plans ruined.
Should you care to voice your displeasure, shoot them a tweet on @VCockpit.
by Lufthansa Flyer | Dec 1, 2014 | Cargo, Featured, Frankfurt, Lufthansa, Strike |
Lufthansa has updated their Flight Status webpage to reflect the impact of the 2-day strike taking place today and tomorrow. In all, nearly 1,400 flights have thus far been cancelled. The strike will come in 2 stages. On Monday, short and medium haul flights system wide will be impacted from 11:00am to 11:00p on Monday, December 1. Long Haul and Cargo flights will be impacted by part 2 of the strike set to take place between 2:00a and 11:00p on Tuesday, December 2.
Ticketed passengers will be rebooked on other flights or have the option to change their travel dates as long as the original ticket was purchased prior to November 30. If you are traveling today or tomorrow, please check the ‘My Bookings’ page on Lufthansa.com to rebook your ticket or to see what other options may exist to reaccommodate you.
For passengers whose flights have not been cancelled, you can use the same ‘My Bookings’ link provided above to reschedule your flights to a different date. The only restriction is that travel takes place prior to March 1, 2015.
To see the most up-to-date list of cancelled Lufthansa flights, please use this link.
