German commercial pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has called on its members at Lufthansa group airlines to stage two days of strike action on Monday and Tuesday.
Set to begin on 13 April at 12:01 am local time and end on 14 April at 11:59 pm local time, the “strike call” applies to VC members at Deutsche Lufthansa AG, Lufthansa Cargo AG and Lufthansa CityLine, the union said in a news release issued on Saturday. It also said that Eurowings GmbH flights that take off from German airports between 12:01 am and 11:59 pm on 13 April will be on strike.
The walkout, announced with less than two days’ notice, is projected to put at least 80% of flights from Frankfurt and Munich in jeopardy, potentially leaving more than 50,000 travellers in limbo, Air Traveler Club reported.
VC, which represents at least 10,000 pilots across various German airlines, added that its grievance is rooted in Lufthansa’s reluctance to settle several wage disputes, including over pensions.
“Despite a deliberate decision to refrain from strike action over the Easter holidays, no serious offers were forthcoming,” said VC President Andreas Pinheiro.
“During this time, there was neither a response nor any discernible willingness to negotiate on the part of the employers. The employers always have the opportunity to avert the strike by submitting negotiable offers.”
How has Lufthansa responded?
With negotiations collapsing, the Cologne-based carrier now faces the fallout, including replacing scheduled flights with services operated by other airlines within the Lufthansa Group or partner airlines.
“Lufthansa is working intensively to keep the impact on our passengers as low as possible,” the airline said. It added that amid being inundated by a high volume of calls, affected passengers may be informed as late as 12 April.
As per their rebooking and refund policy, passengers with tickets from Lufthansa, Austrian, Swiss, Brussels Airlines or Air Dolomiti, issued on or before 11 April, and booked on Lufthansa-operated flights, including Lufthansa CityLine on 13 and 14 April, can rebook for free to another Lufthansa Group flight from 11-21 April.
There is also the option to request a refund, no later than 13 April.
Lufthansa will also offer Deutsche Bahn train tickets for passengers on cancelled flights with no alternative options.
“We sincerely regret the disruption caused by the strike announced at short notice by the union Vereinigung Cockpit and thank you for your understanding,” the carrier said.
Weekend awash with disruptions
The upcoming strike action comes after ten of thousands of passengers across Germany experienced travel disruptions over the weekend.
Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation (UFO), a union representing cabin crew professionals in Germany, called on crew members at Lufthansa and its regional subsidiary Lufthansa CityLine GmbH to strike on Friday 10 April.
The day-long strike grounded flights across Frankfurt and Munich, with The Independent reporting approximately 580 Frankfurt flight cancellations, affecting as many as 72,000 travellers.
UFO’s grievances lie in unresolved pay disputes – resorting to industrial action to achieve their demands.
“To this day, management consistently refuses to even enter into negotiations with us regarding our demands for a collectively agreed social plan, to address our demands, or even to submit a negotiable offer for such a plan,” the union said.