Lufthansa Pilots Threaten Strike in Germany Over Pension Dispute

1 dzień temu

COLOGNE- Lufthansa (LH) may once again face operational disruption as its pilots’ union threatens strike action over pension reforms. This development comes after talks broke down between the airline and the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union, signaling escalating tensions.

The union announced a strike ballot following the collapse of negotiations. The possible action marks a serious escalation unless both sides resolve.

Lufthansa Pilots to Strike

The crew objects to recent shifts from a defined-benefit pension plan to a defined-contribution model. Defined-contribution pensions link payouts to market returns rather than seniority or service, which pilots say undermines retirement security.

VC stated that Lufthansa failed to meaningfully consider improvements. Union president Andreas Pinheiro condemned the employer’s lack of commitment to a sustainable retirement structure:

The employer side showed no serious willingness from the beginning to raise the company pension plan to a reliable level….No substantial improvements were offered.”

Possibility of A Strike

According to PYOK, the union has initiated a ballot among its members to determine whether they will strike. Such action could severely impact Lufthansa’s operations, especially at its key hubs in Frankfurt (FRA) and Munich (MUC).

This is not the first disruption faced by the carrier. In April 2024, coordinated strikes by flight attendants and ground staff caused losses exceeding €350 million.

In September 2022, pilots at Lufthansa’s mainline operations staged a 24-hour strike that disrupted 800 flights and stranded 130,000 passengers. A prolonged walkout was narrowly avoided when both parties reached an agreement during last-minute negotiations.

History of Labor Tensions

Labor relations have long strained Lufthansa’s operations. Earlier this year, pilot negotiations also collapsed when proposals included hiring 250 new part-time pilots by 2028. The union viewed this as a potential increase in workload and a coded pay cut.

Lufthansa has a history of strikes organized by aviation personnel, and this has disrupted operations amid disputes. This was seen during the COVID-19 crisis and in other years, as explained in the table below:

Year Group Involved Main Issue Impact

2023	Cabin crew	Workload & pay	Flight delays and cancellations
2022	Pilots	Salary increases	800 flights grounded, 130k passengers stranded
2020	Pilots & staff	Pay cuts during COVID-19	Labor unrest, negotiations stalled
2016	Pilots	Pay and benefits	Widespread cancellations across Europe
2015	Pilots	Pension and retirement age	Hundreds of flights canceled

Bottom Line

The current pension disagreement also presents broader financial risks for Lufthansa. Ongoing labor disputes could derail the airline’s 2026 cost-cutting strategy, which includes €1.5 billion in planned savings.

Analysts note that unresolved disputes could undermine market confidence and weaken long-term profitability.

Lufthansa maintains that it remains open to negotiations despite the impasse. The airline has not commented further on the specifics of the proposal but emphasizes its commitment to reaching a resolution.

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