Lufthansa and pilots union reach agreement

The German pilots’ union VC has announced that significant progress has been made in a dispute with Lufthansa over wages, and that a strike planned for this week has been called off. The pilots’ union VC announced in a statement that German airline Lufthansa and the union have reached an agreement on wages, and that a second strike planned for this week has been called off. The agreement comes after a strike last week that resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of flights and caused chaos in summer flights. The pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) announced that the basics of a comprehensive financial and structural package had been agreed and would be finalized in the coming days. The union declined to give further details, but only said that the progress achieved was sufficient to call off the strike planned for this week. Marcel Groels, who is responsible for the union’s collective bargaining policy, said: “We are pleased that a conclusion has been reached at the negotiating table and that further problems for passengers, employees and companies have been avoided. Important steps have been taken today for a long-term cooperation.” According to the union, passenger pilots were planning to strike on Wednesday and Thursday, and cargo pilots from Wednesday to Friday. Lufthansa announced on Tuesday that it would make an improved offer. The union had demanded a 5.5 percent retroactive increase effective July 1 and an 8.2 percent pay increase in 2023 to protect against inflation.