German trade union ver.di has called on about 20,000 ground employees of Deutsche Lufthansa to stage a warning strike from July 27 at 3.45 am until July 28 at 6.00 am.

Michael Niggemann, Member of the Executive Board Chief Officer Human Resources Deutsche Lufthansa AG, said: "After only two days of negotiations, ver.di has announced a strike that can hardly be called a warning strike due to its breadth across all locations and its duration.”

“This is all the more incomprehensible given that the employer side has offered high and socially balanced pay increases – despite the continuing tense economic situation for Lufthansa following the Covid crisis, high debt burdens and uncertain prospects for the global economy.

After the enormous efforts to stabilize our flight operations, this represents a renewed, substantial and unnecessary burden for our passengers and also for our employees beyond the strike day,” he added.

Among other things, the Group has presented a package with the following components. Beginning July 1, 2022, with a term of 18 months, each employee would receive:

•    an increase in basic pay of 150 euros per month as of July 1, 2022,
•    a further basic pay increase of 100 euros per month as of January 1, 2023,
•    an additional two-percent increase in compensation as of July 1, 2023, depending on how the business develops.

It is particularly important for Lufthansa to put a stronger focus on the lower remuneration groups. For example, for employees with a basic monthly salary of 3,000 euros before taxes, the present offer means an increase in basic salary between nine and just under eleven percent within the next 12 months.

The next round of negotiations has long been agreed upon and will take place on August 3 and 4. – TradeArabia News Service