Lufthansa Faces Pension Plan Crisis: VC Union Moves Toward Strike Vote

In Germany, the pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has called on its members to vote on a strike after negotiations with Lufthansa over the pension plan reached a deadlock. The decision directly affects 4,800 pilots, while the company’s management has yet to issue an official statement.

Deadlock in Pension Arrangements

VC announced that Lufthansa had not presented a satisfactory offer, preventing progress on professional pension and transition arrangements. The union has formally requested strike vote approval from management.

The last Lufthansa pilots’ strike occurred in 2022 and lasted only one day. However, the roots of the current dispute date back to regulations introduced in 2017. These changes included critical provisions such as limits on pension entitlements and raising the transition aid age to 60.

New Airlines, Rising Tensions

In recent years, the company has established new carriers like City Airlines and Discover, moving toward more flexible conditions. This shift has heightened tensions with the unions.

VC and the cabin crew union UFO oppose transferring flights to the new airlines, while rival union Verdi’s partial agreements—excluding VC and UFO—have raised the possibility of broader labor disputes across the Lufthansa Group.