Lufthansa union promises no more strikes until talks get underway

The union representing Lufthansa’s ground workers – including cargo – in Germany has promised there will be no more last-minute strikes at least until pre-planned talks get underway.

Lufthansa had to cancel 1,000s of flights this week and cargo operations were also affected after the the ver.di union organised strike action running from 03:45hrs on Wednesday until 06:00hrs on Thursday over pay.

A Lufthansa Cargo spokesperson said that shipments booked to be transported during the strike period as belly cargo had to be rebooked.

Talks between the airline and union are set to get back underway on August 3 and 4 and no strikes are planned until then.

“I can rule that out,” said ver.di chief negotiator Christine Behle.

The union is asking for a 9.5% salary increase, but at least €350 euros per month, and has rejected an initial offer from Lufthansa as being too low.

In Frankfurt, a total of 678 flights were canceled and at the Munich hub, a total of 345 flights were canceled.

The effects of the strike may still lead to individual flight cancellations or delays on Thursday and Friday, Lufthansa warned.

Ver.di is currently negotiating for the approximately 20,000 employees at Lufthansa AG Boden, Lufthansa Technik, Lufthansa Systems, Lufthansa Technik Logistik Services (LTLS), Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa Service Gesellschaft (LSG) as well as Lufthansa Engineering and Operational Services (LEOS).

Damian Brett www.aircargonews.net