German airline Lufthansa and German pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit have agreed on a pay increase for pilots and that no strikes will take place until mid-2023.
The deal stated that the cockpit crews for Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo will receive an increase in their basic monthly pay of €490 (£428) each in two stages, retroactively from 1 August and as of 1 April 2023.
An entry-level co-pilot will receive around 20% additional basic pay, while a captain in the final grade will receive 5.5%. The deal also included a comprehensive obligation that no strikes will take place until 30 June 2023.
According to the airline, both collective bargaining partners will continue their discussions on various topics until next year, and have agreed to maintain confidentiality regarding additional topics and the talks.
A Lufthansa pilots’ strike took place on 2 September and caused the cancellation of hundreds of flights. Vereinigung Cockpit was demanding a 5.5% pay rise for this year and automatic inflation compensation, as well as better terms for entry-level pilots.
Michael Niggemann, chief human resources officer and labor director at Lufthansa, said: “We are pleased to have reached this agreement with Vereinigung Cockpit. The increase in basic salary with uniform base amounts leads to the desired higher proportional increase in entry-level salaries.
“We now want to use the next few months in a trusting dialogue with Vereinigung Cockpit to find and implement sustainable solutions. The common goal is to continue to offer our pilots attractive and secure jobs with prospects for further development going forward.”