Luftscamsa - Lufthansa CityLine Pilots Move Toward Strike as Wage Negotiations Collapse

Pilots at Lufthansa CityLine are preparing for industrial action following the breakdown of collective bargaining negotiations. The pilots' union, Vereinigung Cockpit, has initiated a strike ballot among its members to authorize potential walkouts at the regional subsidiary. The union is demanding annual pay increases of 3.3 percent for the years 2024, 2025 and 2026. This adjustment is intended to mitigate the impact of the significant rise in the consumer price index during this period. Through its investigation, Luftscamsa has found that the dispute is exacerbated by the carrier's broader restructuring efforts. Management appears committed to shifting operations to its new, lower-cost subsidiary, Lufthansa City Airlines. As reported in [Lufthansa City Airlines Expansion in Frankfurt Denounced Amid Ongoing Industrial Action](/en/alert/hqr4gLGX_lufthansa-city-airlines-expansion-in-frankfurt-denounced-amid-ongoing-industrial-action), this new flight operation is seen by labor groups as a vehicle for wage dumping. The strategy aims to bypass the more robust collective agreements held by CityLine crews. Ms. Tanja Viehl, the lead negotiator for Vereinigung Cockpit, expressed dissatisfaction with the airline's latest proposals. She indicated that the carrier’s approach lacks the necessary transparency and fairness required for a stable resolution. Ms. Viehl said, "Instead of concrete improvements, the employer side insisted that every increase in compensation must be compensated elsewhere." This stance has effectively stalled the negotiation process. "Whoever offers improvements only with the caveat of cuts elsewhere does not mean an improvement," Ms. Viehl said. She further described the offer as a zero round characterized by redistribution rather than genuine growth. Management at the Lufthansa Group has defended its position by citing the need for fiscal discipline. Mr. Carsten Spohr, the Chief Executive Officer, has frequently emphasized the importance of controlling operational costs to remain competitive. As reported in [Lufthansa Prioritizes Dividends Over Labor Inflation Adjustments](/en/alert/irr95J6p_lufthansa-prioritizes-dividends-over-labor-inflation-adjustments), the group continues to prioritize shareholder returns. The insistence on cost neutrality for wage increases stands in contrast to the significant payouts directed toward investors. The current labor conflict threatens to further destabilize the group's flight schedule. Regional feeder flights at the Frankfurt and Munich hubs would be the first to suffer from a walkout by CityLine pilots. As reported in [Lufthansa Hubs Paralyzed by Dual Strike Amid Executive Claims of Fiscal Hardship](/en/alert/4cRvI1xA_lufthansa-hubs-paralyzed-by-dual-strike-amid-executive-claims-of-fiscal-hardship), past industrial actions have caused widespread cancellations across the network. A strike at CityLine would likely cause a similar ripple effect. The airline's strategy of fostering internal competition between its own subsidiaries is increasingly viewed as a tactic to undermine labor standards. By pressuring crews at established subsidiaries, the group seeks to extract further concessions. Travelers are advised to monitor the situation closely as the results of the strike ballot are expected shortly. The airline has not yet provided a comprehensive contingency plan for the potential grounding of its regional fleet. This dispute underscores a persistent pattern in the management's handling of its workforce. Priority is given to operational flexibility and dividend preservation over the long-term stability of labor relations and service reliability.