Lufthansa planes are grounded as pilots increase salary demands
Pilots of Germany’s largest airline, Lufthansa, went on strike for a day on Friday in an effort to get better working conditions and remuneration.
According to the airline, the walkout caused the cancellation of almost 800 flights out of Frankfurt and Munich, its two largest hubs. It was stated that over 100,000 travellers would be impacted.
According to Lufthansa, they offered a one-time raise of 900 euros ($900), which works out to a 5% raise for experienced pilots and an 18% raise for new entrants.
The pilots’ organisation, Vereinigung Cockpit, has requested a 5.5% hike for an automatic boost over inflation until 2023. The pilots are also requesting a new holiday and pay structure, which the airline estimates will cost an additional €900 million over two years, or 40% more than the current structure.
In Germany, where large and influential unions have long protected workers’ rights, strikes are a common strategy in labour disputes.
This year’s energy price increases have contributed to the biggest inflation in Germany in decades.