Lufthansa and the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilot union have ended a weeks-long conciliation procedure without a binding agreement or ruling, leaving unresolved retirement-benefit and pay issues for about 5,000 pilots at Lufthansa’s core airline and Lufthansa Cargo. The talks, held behind closed doors in Germany, concluded on Thursday while a broader mediation on labour and strategic matters remains underway.
The procedure began in late August, with former state premiers Roland Koch representing Lufthansa and Bodo Ramelow representing VC. Neither mediator issued a ruling, although both provided recommendations for further negotiations and offered to remain involved in the continuing process.
The wider mediation covers collective-bargaining questions and the future development of Lufthansa’s core operation, including issues affecting pilot career prospects. Separately negotiated cabin-crew matters are also linked to the broader discussions. The strategic debate includes the competitiveness of the German operation and the possible deployment of aircraft and crews under different collective agreements.
Further pilot strikes are not considered imminent while the broader mediation continues. However, if that process fails, the parties will no longer be able to fall back on an outcome from the completed conciliation procedure. The timetable for the continuing mediation has not been disclosed.