Traveling on Lufthansa is turning into a game of luck these days. The same counts relying on DB, the German railroad for transportation. Strike or no strike- this remains the question to passengers booked on this German Star Alliance carrier.
Passengers with German airline Lufthansa may face renewed strikes in the pre-Christmas period after a breakdown in negotiations over retirement benefits. And industrial action may affect train services as well.
The German pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has threatened imminent new strikes after negotiations with Lufthansa over retirement benefits stalled.
A Lufthansa spokesman insisted that the airline management remained ready to negotiate, saying that it still wanted "constructive talks" to find "sustainable solutions" to the conflict.
Lufthansa pilots have already staged eight walkouts this year, costing the company some 170 million euros ($211.62 million) in lost revenue according to Lufthansa figures.
The pilots are protesting at plans by management to gradually raise the age at which they can take early retirement by five years. At present, pilots can retire at 55 and receive up to 60 percent of their pay until the normal pension kicks in at the statutory retirement age of 65.
The new scheme planned by management would affect pilots who started work with the airline from January 2014. The union wants the current scheme maintained for all pilots.
The new scheme planned by management would affect pilots who started work with the airline from January 2014. The union wants the current scheme maintained for all pilots.
New train strikes?
Train services in Germany could also face imminent strikes. The train drivers' union GDL due to discuss next week whether to continue wage negotiations with railway operator Deutsche Bahn or take further industrial action.
GDL chief Claus Weselsky stressed, however, that no strikes would take place between Christmas and New Year.
The union called a three-day strike in early November to underline its demands for a 5 percent pay increase and a shorter working week.The GDL is also seeking the right to negotiate for railway staff other than drivers, such as conductors and catering staff.
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