Lufthansa makes new pay offer to pilots as strikes continue

Lufthansa has made an improved pay offer to pilots as it tries to avoid further industrial action related to a dispute over wages.
The German airline giant said it is now offering a two-step 4.4% increase in remuneration plus a one-off payment. Remuneration would be increased by 2.4% for 2016 and by a further 2% for 2017.
"Lufthansa is thus meeting a key Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) demand," Lufthansa said. "The union has also repeatedly told the media that it would be willing to enter mediation on the basis of an offer of this kind."
The VC union has called on its members to take strike action on six days in total in the latest wave of strikes, which began on November 23 and continue today (November 30).
It is estimated the strikes are costing the airline around €10m-€15m per day.
Lufthansa has had to cancel some 4,450 flights as a result. Lufthansa Cargo’s freighter operations have not been affected, but any cargo due to travel on passenger aircraft could be delayed.
Lufthansa Cargo said that even though the strike is due to end today, flights could still be affected tomorrow.
"On Thursday Lufthansa passenger flight operations should proceed according to schedule. However, due to the strikes on the preceding days, there may still be the a few flight cancellations. Lufthansa is publishing updated flight schedules on www.LH.com.
"We deeply regret any inconvenience the pilots’ union strike may cause. Lufthansa Cargo staff worldwide will do their utmost to keep the potential inconvenience to customers at a minimum. Affected cargo pieces will automatically be rebooked on flights of the updated flight schedule and on Road Feeder Services."
Talks between the pilots and the airline broke down last week.
“We want to urgently avoid any further damage to our company and finally return to offering our passengers the kind of service they can expect from us,” said Harry Hohmeister, chief officer hub management of Deutsche Lufthansa AG, at a union information event. “And that’s why we submitted a new offer to the VC yesterday evening.”
“We want to get back to the negotiating table as quickly as possible,” added Bettina Volkens, chief officer corporate human resources & legal affairs of Deutsche Lufthansa.
“As desired by the VC, we can then successively negotiate on all the currently-open collective labor agreement issues. And this in turn should lead us back to long-term industrial peace and a sound social partnership.”
There also appears to be growing annoyance at the strikes from other staff members at Lufthansa, with ground crew expected to launch a counter-protest.

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