Lufthansa has agreed to a new deal with Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), a German pilot union representing its pilots.
It is composed of two agreements, namely the new collective remuneration agreement (VTV) and the collective terms-of-employment agreement (MTV). The agreements last until December 31, 2026, and December 31, 2027, respectively.
Both the VTV and the MTV included a clause that would bar pilots from striking until the respective agreements expired.
Nevertheless, salaries for pilots working for Lufthansa and its subsidiary Lufthansa Cargo will grow by a collective 18% over the course of the agreement, with a 7% raise on December 1, 2023, 5% on January 1, 2025, and 5% on January 1, 2026. Furthermore, the airline will provide the union members with a “one-off payment of 3.75 percent of fixed annual compensation, up to a maximum of 3,000 euros [$3,297] in 2023”.
Other benefits will include improved variable compensation based on the airline’s performance, better scheduling with roster stability that includes 10 off days per month, and further growth through the assimilation of ex-Germanwings pilots into Lufthansa.
The VTV and MTV agreements are pending final editorial changes and approval of “relevant bodies”.
“With [the agreement] we are improving not only our pilots’ remuneration, but also their ability to maintain an effective balance between their profession and their private lives. This new agreement is not easy for us to conclude from an economic perspective,” Michael Niggemann, Executive Board Member and Labor Director at Lufthansa. The executive added that it was not an easy pill to swallow from an economic perspective but it does provide long-term stability and allows to plan for growth.
Meanwhile, the VC’s President Stefan Herth has declared himself “pleased” that the union’s members voted positively on the agreement.
“Today’s acceptance of the collective agreement creates reliability for the pilots, Lufthansa and, last but not least, our passengers,” Herth added. 94.7% of the union’s members voted on the agreements, with 65.5% approving the VTV and MTV.
The VC and Lufthansa are now “entering into the detailed design as part of the editorial negotiations,” according to the union.
