Lufthansa and Vereinigung Cockpit, the union that groups its German pilots, have reached a wage agreement that puts an end, at least until June 2023, to the labour dispute that almost led to a strike on 7 September.
Pilots will receive an increase in their basic pay of 980 euros in two stages of 490 euros, one retroactive to August 2022, and the next in April 2023. In this way the starting salary of an entry-level co-pilot will increase by around 20%, while for a captain in the final grade the increase will represent 5.5%.
In parallel, negotiations will continue on other issues that were not disclosed due to a confidentiality agreement.
Lufthansa and Vereinigung Cockpit also agreed to freeze measures such as strikes until 30 June 2023. The agreement is still subject to detailed formulation and approval by the responsible bodies.
«We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Vereinigung Cockpit. The increase in basic salary with uniform base amounts leads to the desired higher proportional increase in entry-level salaries,» said Michael Niggemann, Chief Human Resources Officer and Labor Director of the Deutsche Lufthansa AG.
«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 foward,» he added.
For his part, Matthias Baier, spokesman for Vereinigung Cockpit, said that «This is to be seen as a positive signal towards the colleagues in the cockpit, the passengers and the future viability of Lufthansa. The collective agreements are still open, but the points to be negotiated can now be discussed in a confidential setting.»
«The good monetary result is pleasing, but we are equally pleased that we have been able to achieve another step towards a more sustainable partnership. We are currently on the right track with Lufthansa,» added Marcel Gröls, who leads collective bargaining for the union.
