Lufthansa and ver.di have still not reached an agreement in the collective bargaining dispute for ground staff, despite a new offer. The union welcomes the concession, but remains dissatisfied.
There are no signs of a quick agreement in the collective bargaining dispute between Lufthansa ground staff, even after an improved offer from the airline. Despite the recent negotiations, the positions are still divergent. “In our opinion, we have submitted a final offer,” said Human Resources Director Michael Niggemann.
Ver.di negotiator Marvin Reschinsky described the offer as “unsocial” compared to the pilots. “The group provides maximum increases for other professional groups with incomes of up to 300,000 euros per year,” said the union in a circular to members. “We on the ground with starting hourly wages of 13 euros, on the other hand, should continue to be content with a fraction.”
Lufthansa demands from Ver.di Willingness to unify
After the 27-hour warning strike from the previous week, the parties met at the beginning of the week at Frankfurt Airport for their third round of negotiations. Today, Lufthansa published the improved offer presented the day before.
The company shortens the term from 36 to 25 months and offers the full inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros to all employees. According to the proposal, the first table increase of four percent should take effect in December 2024 – before a second stage of 5.5 percent in February next year.
Niggemann described the public service-oriented offer as “good and fair”. It offers all employees salary increases of at least around ten percent in the next twelve months. “Now it is up to ver.di to show a willingness to reach agreement – for the benefit of our employees and our guests,” said the manager.
Ver.di criticizes the increase as “too low” and “too late”
Ver.di wants to discuss the situation with employees in the coming days and discuss how to proceed. In an initial assessment, the eleven zero months were criticized as well as the “too low” wage increases. “The increase is too low and only takes effect too late,” said a collective bargaining information sent to employees available to Reuters.
The union is demanding 12.5 percent more salary and at least 500 euros per month for a term of twelve months for Lufthansa employees on the ground – around 25,000 according to the union and 20,000 according to Lufthansa.
The collective bargaining parties want to continue negotiations on February 21st. Ver.di called on employees to go on strike for 27 hours at five airports last week. Lufthansa canceled around 900 of 1,000 planned flights at its Frankfurt and Munich hubs. Around 100,000 passengers were affected.