Lufthansa has concluded a deal with its pilots’ union, which includes a “peace obligation” not to hold any strikes for more than nine months.
Members of the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) had been due to hold a 48-hour walkout last week, as part of a pay dispute, until a tentative deal was reached with Lufthansa and the strike was cancelled.
Lufthansa said this agreement with VC had now been concluded. It includes an increase in basic pay of €980 per month for pilots, as well as an agreement that there will be no strikes until 30 June 2023.
The deal particularly boosts pay for entry-level co-pilots who will be given a 20 per cent increase in basic pay over the length of the agreement, while the most experienced pilots will receive a 5.5 per cent uplift in salary.
Lufthansa said the agreement with VC not to hold further strikes until the middle of 2023 would give “customers and employees planning security”.
Meanwhile talks will also continue between the airline and union on “various topics” over the coming months.
Michael Niggemann, Lufthansa’s chief human resources officer, said: “We now want to use the next few months in a trusting dialogue with Vereinigung Cockpit to find and implement sustainable solutions. The common goal is to continue to offer our pilots attractive and secure jobs with prospects for further development going forward.”
Matthias Baier, spokesman for VC, added: “This is to be seen as a positive signal towards the colleagues in the cockpit, the passengers and Lufthansa's future viability.
“The collective agreements are still open, but the points to be negotiated can now discussed in a confidential setting.”