Lufhthansa is in ongoing talks with union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), and will meet with it today (Tuesday, 30 August) to continue those talks.

So said spokesperson for Lufthansa EMEA Media Relations, Boris Ogursky, following news that a strike by Lufthansa pilots may be on the cards “at any time”.

VC issued a statement to this effect on Thursday (August 25) after it said four days of discussions on the framework conditions for the continuation of negotiations between the Vereinigung Cockpit and the Lufthansa Group had collapsed.

Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) said it had “calmly analysed the current situation in the responsible committees and discussed further procedure”.

Matthias Baier, press spokesman for VC, noted: "Despite intensive discussions between our collective bargaining committee and the employer, no result could be achieved on a promising continuation of the negotiations.

He said that legal and organisational preparations for strike action had begun, adding that the Vereinigung Cockpit was still accessible.

"We are currently too far apart. In addition to compensating for the loss of real wages, we now need, above all, a sustainable solution for the remuneration structure in all occupational groups."

Eurowings workforce may follow suit 

Meanwhile, collective bargaining between Vereinigung Cockpit and Eurowings has also stalled and the Eurowings Tariff Commission, together with the VC Executive Board, has initiated a ballot that runs until August 31.

A ballot is a technical process of a trade union to obtain the support of the members for the course of the negotiating collective bargaining commission.

"A ballot is not a strike decision or an interruption of talks. Of course, we are still willing to talk and would like to reach a solution through negotiations," said VC press spokesman, Lars Frontini. "At Eurowings, however, we have seen very little movement on the part of the employer for some time. That is why we are now asking the affected colleagues for an opinion with the ballot."

The talks with the Lufthansa subsidiary Eurowings are primarily about relieving the cockpit workforce. 

“The sharp increase in air traffic since spring has hit a thinned staffing level, which is putting a heavy strain on colleagues. On the part of the company, there have been no reasonable answers to this situation so far,” said Frontini.