An ongoing conflict between ver.di, a trade union based in Germany, and Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) has seemingly escalated. The disagreement stems from the fact that Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) is eyeing the sale of its subsidiary, LSG Sky Chefs – one of the largest airline catering companies in the world. In the latest turn of events, the trade union has decided to not provide catering on European flights, a Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) representative has confirmed to AeroTime.
“As a preventive measure against the threat of operational disruptions, Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) is therefore adjusting its catering on some European flights.”
The union has stated its demands on a press release, dated November 20, 2019. ver.di presses Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) to assume the responsibility for the future of around 7,000 employees, as the union aims to secure a new labor agreement before the German airline group ships off its catering company. A negotiation between the two parties took place on November 21, 2019.
However, with the latest industrial action, the negotiations seemingly failed.
Lufthansa’s (LHAB) (LHA) top priority remains “to ensure a stable flight schedule and safe flight operations,” stated the airline’s representative. No indication of which flights are affected by the industrial action has been given.
The latest conflict with the ver.di union is not the only dispute the airline has on its hands – just recently, its cabin crew union, Independent Flight Attendant Organization (UFO) threatened to strike. On November 12, 2019, the two sides agreed to an “absolute peace” to work out a deal that satisfies both sides.
On November 22, Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) announced that it would not pursue a lawsuit against UFO in the Hessian State Labor Court and would withdraw the former complaint on Monday, November 25, 2019.
“We want to send a signal of de-escalation and open up solution areas in a difficult, deadlocked situation. Above all, however, we need concrete results for urgent issues in the interests of our cabin staff. This can only be achieved through dialogue,“ said Dr. Detlef Kayser, Lufthansa (LHAB) (LHA) executive board member.
