Lufthansa Cabin Crew Union Plans One-Day Strike in Germany
Lufthansa faces significant disruption this week as cabin crew union UFO has announced a one-day strike. This marks the airline’s third labor action in approximately two months. The strike is set to affect both the core Lufthansa brand and its regional airline, Cityline.
Lufthansa Strike Details
On Friday, the strike will take place from 12:01 a.m. to 10 p.m. local time. This duration covers 2201 GMT Thursday to 2000 GMT Friday. The Independent Flight Attendants’ Organisation (UFO) confirmed that all Lufthansa flights departing from Frankfurt and Munich will be impacted. Additionally, cabin crew at nine German airports serving Cityline are expected to participate in the walkout.
Background and Reasons for the Strike
In late March, union members overwhelmingly voted in support of the strike following stalled negotiations with Lufthansa regarding working conditions. The union is advocating on behalf of 19,000 cabin crew members and approximately 800 Cityline employees, who are facing redundancy as the airline phases out operations.
- Major Concerns: Crew members seek improved shift predictability and extended notice periods.
- Union Leader Statement: “This situation could have been avoided – the responsibility lies with Lufthansa,” stated UFO chief Joachim Vázquez Bürger.
Lufthansa’s Response
Lufthansa has urged the union to resume negotiations. A spokesperson, Martin Leutke, expressed regret for the inconvenience caused to passengers due to what they deemed a “disproportionate and very short-notice strike.”
History of Labor Disputes at Lufthansa
This is not the first time labor unrest has impacted Lufthansa. In mid-February, both UFO and the pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit conducted a one-day strike, resulting in numerous flight cancellations. Following that, the pilots intensified their pressure with a two-day strike in mid-March.
| Date | Event | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| Mid-February | One-day pilots’ strike | 1 day |
| Mid-March | Two-day pilots’ strike | 2 days |
| Friday (upcoming) | UFO cabin crew strike | 10 hours |
The ongoing pay dispute underscores the tensions within Lufthansa and highlights the urgency for resolution. The airline must address the crew’s demands to prevent further disruptions.
