faq
As of today, it will be the turn of the arbitrators to resolve the collective bargaining dispute involving Lufthansa ground staff. The hope: If successful, strikes at the airline at Easter could be avoided.
What is arbitration?
In order to resolve a deadlocked collective bargaining dispute, the parties to the conflict can agree to mediation. Employers and employee representatives must give their consent to this. Both sides then appoint one or more mediators – usually respected political representatives. Their job is to work out a compromise that is acceptable to everyone involved. Both parties must then agree to this.
How does arbitration work?
Arbitrations take place behind closed doors. The aim is to rebuild trust between the collective bargaining parties so that they can move towards each other again. In principle, arbitration can extend over a longer period of weeks or months. As a rule, there is a duty of peace during the mediation. This means that there must be no strikes or other industrial action.
How long is the arbitration period scheduled for Lufthansa ground staff?
The arbitration began in the morning and is scheduled to end on Maundy Thursday at the latest. At just four days, the time frame is quite tight. The ver.di union had emphasized that it would not take part in any arbitration that would take several weeks or months.
Who are the arbitrators?
Both sides have each appointed their own arbitrator with experience in resolving collective bargaining disputes. Lufthansa named the former head of the Federal Employment Agency, Frank-Jürgen Weise. The union relies on Thuringia’s Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow. The left-wing politician and former trade unionist Ramelow led the collective bargaining disputes with the train drivers’ union GDL to an agreement at the railway in 2015 and 2017. Weise was involved in resolving the conflict between Lufthansa and the UFO cabin union in 2019/2020.
How big are they Chances of success?
The fact that both parties have agreed to mediation is a sign of rapprochement and the will to find a solution together. “Together we now want to clarify the open points through mediation in order to then reach an agreement,” said Lufthansa Human Resources Director Michael Niggemann after the fifth round of negotiations. Ver.di negotiator Marvin Reschinsky emphasized at the time: “We want passengers to get from A to B easily during the Easter holidays and for families to go on their well-deserved vacation.”
Has to be Arbitrator’s verdict be accepted?
An arbitrator’s award is not binding. After the arbitrator’s recommendation for agreement, collective bargaining must be resumed. Either the collective bargaining parties come to an agreement and there is a collective bargaining agreement – or the resumed collective bargaining also fails.
What happens if you fail?
There is then a risk of an indefinite strike by the airline’s ground staff, a so-called forced strike. This is the unions’ last resort and sharpest weapon in a collective bargaining dispute. It must therefore be ensured that it is supported by the majority of union members.
Ver.di has initiated the ballot, which should be completed by Maundy Thursday. If the union members vote for a strike, it would theoretically be possible from Good Friday. This could take place without interruption, “but also every now and then for several weeks,” as ver.di negotiator Reschinsky explained. Lufthansa would thus become an “unsafe means of transport.”
What is the conflict about?
The ver.di union is demanding 12.5 percent more money for a period of twelve months for the approximately 25,000 Lufthansa employees on the ground. The company offered ten percent for a term of 28 months. An inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros is comparatively undisputed between the collective bargaining parties.