The members of the Piloten‑Gewerkschaft Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) working for the airline Eurowings have voted overwhelmingly in a rapid referendum to enforce their demands concerning the company pension scheme, even if it means industrial action. According to the union, 82 % of its members participated in the vote, and 94 % of those who cast ballots voted “Yes”. This results in a very high quorum, far surpassing the minimum required.
The vote comes after the failure of collective‑bargaining talks about the pension plan. Andreas Pinheiro, VC president, said that the union has received a “strong mandate” to continue pursuing a better retirement provision. He added that pilots rightly expect a sustainable and reliable solution and that the union is always open to constructive dialogue, but it demands a serious concession from the employer side.
Arne Karstens, spokesperson for the Group‑Tarifkommission (GTK), described the clear result of the quick poll as a “strong signal from the workforce”. The pilots anticipate a substantial improvement in the pension scheme and fair involvement from the employer. VC will communicate further steps to its members in the near future.
