It amazes me how bad Lufthansa management is at labor relations, despite the top brass at the company somehow priding themselves in being good at this. I just don’t get it.
In this post:
Strikes shut down Lufthansa for five of seven days
Let’s not beat around the bush — Lufthansa has some labor relations issues, and things are getting rough:
- Lufthansa pilots are on strike on Monday & Tuesday (April 13-14), after going on strike on March 12-13
- Lufthansa flight attendants have announced they’re going on strike on Wednesday & Thursday (April 15-16), after going on strike on April 10
So for those keeping track at home, the two strikes will mostly ground Lufthansa for four consecutive days, and for five days over a period of seven days. A vast majority of flights departing Germany are expected to be canceled. The issue revolves around how management and the unions can’t see eye-to-eye on pay, pensions, etc.
There’s no end in sight for either of these strikes, since the parties are a long ways off in terms of what they’re willing to settle for (or so they claim).
No disrespect to Lufthansa management, but it just feels like déjà vu at the airline, over and over and over. I understand contract negotiations can be contentious, but seriously, this has been such a consistent mess at the Star Alliance carrier. And it doesn’t have to be this way… just look at how Air France has changed on that front over the years, with good management.
What exactly has Lufthansa’s top management accomplished that makes them worthy of keeping their jobs and earning their performance bonuses? Is it the smashing success of Lufthansa Allegris, or…?
Union blasts management for not negotiating
A bargaining expert for the flight attendant union claims that “we are dealing here with an employer who has adopted a hardline position while constantly proclaiming their readiness to negotiate at any time,” which seems pretty spot on.
Lufthansa will soon have its official 100th anniversary celebration, and German Chancellor Merz will be in attendance. Lufthansa employees intend to protest the event, with a union representative stating that “when management celebrates Lufthansa’s 100th anniversary together with federal politicians, we will make it clear there under what conditions the employers operate – and on whose backs current decisions are being made.”
Lufthansa’s management has claimed that the requests of employees are “absurd and impossible to fulfill,” and that when it comes to the costs of the strikes, “every strike shrinks the affected airline.”
Keep in mind that Lufthansa is the lowest margin airline in Lufthansa Group, and the company has even told employees that it’s so unprofitable that it can’t afford new planes. Yet Lufthansa Group is increasingly centralizing management functions in Frankfurt, because apparently it’ll work out best if the higher margin airlines are more closely controlled by the lower margin airline.
Bottom line
It’s not a good week for Lufthansa, as we’re seeing four days of consecutive strikes, split between pilots and flight attendants. As if there’s not enough going on in the world, Lufthansa really can’t seem to keep its labor relations under control, and that’s a shame to see.
Hopefully these issues are resolved soon, as everyone loses out when these kinds of problems drag on.
What do you make of Lufthansa’s labor relations disaster?
In a free society, every one of these employees would face the very real prospect of being fired if they don't show up for work. That's the way it should be. Unions, as they are currently structured in most countries, violate the rights of each individual and represent the antithesis of freedom.
No.
Well, the 100th anniversary event is not "soon", it is precisely this Wednesday, 15 April. I guess Chancellor Merz has not planned to travel with LH, but many of the other invitees will probably see their flights to the event cancelled.
Hey, speaking of Chancellors, remember when Angela had to bum a ride on Iberia? Oof... Luft-woopsie.
"No disrespect to Lufthansa management..."
Why not? Crappy management is worthy of disrespect, starting with Karsten Spohr.
You have to respect how shameless they are holding on to their positions after so long track record of pathetic management.
It took them over 7 years to launch a new product and a few more years flying empty because it's not certified.
How many years you think it will take them to resign, 30 or 40?
Lufthansa really makes me rethink the German efficiency stereotype.
Unfortunately unions can be problematic in Germany. I used to work for a European multinational (as a payroll employee, not management at all) that closed down 80% of its manufacturing in Germany for this reason. Just to be done with it once and forever. Thousands of German colleagues lost their job.
Of course Lufthansa cannot do the same. But it is very hard to make a profit in Germany if you are in any...
Unfortunately unions can be problematic in Germany. I used to work for a European multinational (as a payroll employee, not management at all) that closed down 80% of its manufacturing in Germany for this reason. Just to be done with it once and forever. Thousands of German colleagues lost their job.
Of course Lufthansa cannot do the same. But it is very hard to make a profit in Germany if you are in any low-margin business that requires a big workforce. The payroll and other employee benefits costs are too high. And unions are not willing to give in to make Germany more competitive.
I am afraid those strikes will keep coming back.
Did unions build the EU middle class?
Asking for someone.
They should hire 5 allegris-inspired CEOs, so they can choose the 'right' one for every strike. Some of them might come with a surcharge, though.
Nice.
Careful of what you ask for.
You might end up with a fancy tool. Still a tool. But also useless because they are not certified.
Or basically they just recline and do nothing useful for the company but keep wasting resources.
I booked ONE flight this year by LH simply because that was the far most convenient time/destination (plus they allow waitlisting for 1st class with upgrade vouchers), and yeah, it is these upcoming days, I am already cursing my decision.
Finally a reason to test AF once.
I hope the crews get what they are looking for, and that things return to regular operations as soon as possible. Fortunately, affected passengers should be eligible refunds or rebooking in addition to EU261 compensation, because this is most certainly under the airlines' control.
Why are you such a loser?
"Why are you such a loser?"
Why are you such a cunt?
Eh, cunts are useful. John is not.
John... mediocre... make it spicier next time...
Ben you can also mention, that on Wednesday is the big 100 years celebration here in Frankfurt, where also Merz is expected to take part. Its ruined by the strike. Spohr totally failed.
Oh no... sounds like management should resolve this before then (chop chop, two days!), you know, unless they want the party to be less-fun. Boo hoo...
I’m sure they can fix their labor problems by installing a 1.5 ton weight in the negotiation room.
That would be SWISS. Lufthansa is the airline where only two out of ten seats at the negotiation table are filled because the other eight aren't certified for seating. :-D
Zing! 10/10. Fantastic call-back!