Lufthansa, German pilots' union agree process to resolve labour disputes

Lufthansa and German pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) have agreed a framework aimed at resolving long-running labour disputes through arbitration and mediation, reducing the risk of further pilot ‌strikes.

The agreement ⁠includes arbitration procedures covering Lufthansa's core airline, ​Lufthansa Cargo, CityLine and Eurowings, VC said in ​a letter circulated on Monday.

Lufthansa confirmed on Tuesday that it had ​reached an agreement in ⁠principle with ‌the union, but declined ​to ​give details.


Also Read: Indian-origin CFO gets four-month jail term, fine for bribing surgeons

Mediation will also address ⁠broader issues in relations between the carrier ​and the union, VC said.

Labour disputes over pilots' pensions and other contract issues triggered six consecutive days of strikes in April, disrupting travel for hundreds of ‌thousands of passengers.

Also Read: US proposes to end the 60-day H-1B grace period; experts warn of 'severe regression'

Lufthansa has said that the strikes cost ​the ​group nearly 200 ⁠million euros($230.74 million) in the first half of the year.

VC said the ​agreement contains exit clauses for both sides if the process fails to achieve its objectives. ($1 = 0.8668 euros)