Flight Crew Union UFO Raise the Possibility of Strike after Negotiations Fails with the German Airlines Lufthansa
The negotiation between the German Airline, Lufthansa and its major flight crew union failed after the union disagrees with the German carrier's newest offer. An official representative from the Union UFO said, the possibility to strike is raised.
The DW reported, the negotiation talks with the flight crew union, UFO by the Lufthansa Airlines was failed, announced on Saturday by the union with the given deadline on the 1st of November. Nicoley Baublies, the UFO Chief official told the German news agency, DPA, "We will announce when strikes are to take place on Monday." He also added, "Strikes are a possibility."
The talks are in regards with the German airlines company, to cut the occupational pensions of the 19,000 flight attendants, thus, the flight crew Union was against the plan, according to the Archy World. The Chief Human Resources and Legal Lufthansa, Bettina Volkens also said, the announcement of the possibility to strike is "incomprehensible," on a statement in response with the failed negotiations.
The Union had also previously threatened to strike over the summer, the Reuters reported, however, they agreed to have a negotiation talks again with the German Airline after the Lufthansa made some compromises. Lufthansa also said, the offer it had made for retirement provisions was the best it could do without worsening its cost position further.
Volkens, the airlines spokesperson also added they are preparing for legal challenges. "We will do everything legal possible to prevent a strike." The wage war has been around for almost two years back in December 2013. The Strikes of the flight crews this year have lost Lufthansa 130 million euros ($143 million) profit.
The Lufthansa spokesperson said that the airline company could not make any compromises that did not lead to cost cuts. "We have good results this year, but we haven't solved our structural problems." Volkens explained.