The pilot union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), announced on Wednesday that Lufthansa has declined a mediation proposal aimed at resolving the ongoing wage dispute. The VC’s President, Andreas Pinheiro, stated that they were deeply disappointed by the rejection after presenting a constructive mediation suggestion that had received positive public reception.
In the union’s view, the proposal was designed to address current disagreements through a structured, solution-oriented process. However, the employer side reportedly responded by attaching extensive conditions to their demands. These demands allegedly extend beyond the current tariff disputes, seeking to bring into negotiation already concluded collective agreements, some of which have long validity periods.
The union argues that this approach undermines established agreements and makes building trust exceptionally difficult. Pinheiro compared this situation to attempting to amend a regulation while simultaneously challenging the foundational basic law.
The union leader continued by asserting that rejecting such an offer, coupled with failing to present any workable alternative proposals, guarantees that the wage disputes will escalate rather than de-escalate, ultimately harming both the airline and its passengers-a responsibility, according to the VC, that rests with Lufthansa.
Given these developments, pilots plan to resume industrial action against Lufthansa on Thursday and Friday.
