Lufthansa’s cabin crew union has announced a two-day strike at Frankfurt and Munich airports, impacting around 100,000 travelers. This strike is part of a series of actions following Lufthansa’s record profits in 2023. The Independent Flight Attendants Organization (UFO) is advocating for a 15% pay increase and a €3,000 inflation compensation payment for its members at Lufthansa and Cityline, with more than 96% of members supporting the strike.
Despite Lufthansa’s doubled profits in 2023, reaching €1.67bn, the cabin crews seek to share in this success through improved wages and benefits. The union expressed regret over the strike, acknowledging the inconvenience caused to passengers. The failure to reach an agreement with staff has led to tensions, with UFO criticizing management for allowing the situation to deteriorate at the expense of passengers, as seen in previous ground staff strikes.
The ongoing disputes between Lufthansa, its unions, and staff underscore the growing dissatisfaction among workers despite the company’s financial success. The call for higher pay and better compensation reflects a broader trend of labor activism in industries where employees feel their contributions are not adequately recognized. The strikes serve as a reminder of the ongoing challenges faced by airlines in balancing profitability and meeting the demands of their workforce.
