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Lufthansa agrees cabin crew pay deal to end staff disputes

Lufthansa has agreed a pay hike for 19,000 cabin crew worth up to 17.4% in the final resolution of disputes with unions which have struck the German carrier.

The collective labour agreement is valid until at least the end of 2026 and comes with a “corresponding peace obligation”.

The wage increase including supplements and allowances comes in several steps over the next three years, according to the carrier.

The agreement with the UFO union also includes a one-off payment of €3,000 “as soon as possible”.

The Verdi union secured a pay raise at an average of 12.5% over two years for some 20,000 Lufthansa ground staff at the end of March following a process of arbitration.

A separate dispute involving security staff at most German airports was resolved earlier this week with raises of between 13.1% and 15.1% over 15 months.

All three disputes led to a series of walkouts in recent months that caused widespread flight cancellations. 

Lufthansa chief human resources officer Michael Niggemann said: ”I am very pleased about the agreement with our collective bargaining partner UFO – for our colleagues in the cabin, who do an outstanding job every day, and also for our guests, who finally have planning security again in this regard when flying with Lufthansa. 

“Our goal has always been to find a solution at the negotiating table together with the union. We have now succeeded in doing so. 

“At the same time, the agreed salary developments in all professional groups are also an economic challenge that we now have to deal with.”

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