Germany's VC pilots' union and airline group Lufthansa are at an impasse over taking their labour dispute to arbitration after trading conflicting conditions for doing so.
VC, which has warned it could resort to strike action, said on Wednesday that the airline had rejected its offer to go to arbitration. The union presented arbitration terms, but VC says Lufthansa declined that proposal.
According to VC representative Andreas Pinheiro, Lufthansa made far-reaching demands as a prerequisite for arbitration. Those demands include not only resolving outstanding labour disputes at the core Lufthansa brand and its cargo arm, but also reconsidering existing contracts - some of which have long remaining terms. Pinheiro said that such a scope would call established agreements into question.
In reply, a Lufthansa group spokesperson said the company remained willing to participate in arbitration. The spokesperson said the group was prepared for comprehensive arbitration covering both Lufthansa Classic and Lufthansa Cargo. They added that, for a fresh start in relations, the airline insisted that all major collective bargaining issues be included in the arbitration. Those issues, the spokesperson said, would encompass retirement and transitional benefits, compensation, and working conditions.
The parties' exchange highlights a clash over the appropriate scope of arbitration: VC conveyed that Lufthansa rejected its offer, while the airline framed its position as openness to arbitration contingent on inclusion of several broad topics. The disagreement over preconditions means the pathway to arbitration has not been agreed.
Context summary
- VC reports Lufthansa turned down its arbitration offer.
- Lufthansa says it is open to arbitration if it covers major collective bargaining issues across Lufthansa Classic and Lufthansa Cargo.
- VC warns it may pursue strike action if the dispute is not resolved.
Details provided by both sides focus on the scope and content of arbitration rather than procedural timing. The positions from the union and the airline leave unresolved whether arbitration will proceed under mutually acceptable terms.