The Vereinigung Cockpit union has called a strike vote after negotiations on a new collective agreement, known as MTV, failed to reach a consensus. The pilot union’s core demand centers on cutting maximum daily flight hours and extending mandatory rest periods. The existing agreement has operated with minimal binding rules since 2015, leaving pilots to work under open ended conditions that the union argues are unsustainable. After ten negotiation rounds, including two rounds following the strike vote signal, no substantial agreement emerged.
The union notes that the work burden has risen significantly. A spokesman described how the workload can push colleagues to the limit, warning that relying on maximum allowable time cannot be a permanent framework. The union emphasizes the need for durable, long term changes to ensure pilots operate within reasonable limits.
Leaders within Vereinigung Cockpit also voiced openness to exploring how Eurowings employees might achieve reasonable working hours in the long run. Marcel Gröls, head of collective bargaining for the union, indicated a willingness to continue discussions aimed at sustainable scheduling practices.
Lufthansa strikes a balance with a prior agreement
Meanwhile Lufthansa, the parent company of Eurowings, already secured a salary agreement with the union last autumn, which helped avert a broader pilot strike at the time. The latest round of talks signals a continued effort to align compensation with the evolving demands of flight crews.
The union has put forward a package that includes a 5.5 percent wage increase for the current year and an 8.2 percent annual increase starting in 2023, along with a detailed list of sixteen separate points. The proposed wage terms are intended to reflect rising living costs and the value of experienced pilots who support safe and reliable operations across the European network.
Despite the efforts, the schedule disruption in recent months underscored the stakes of these negotiations. A day when operations at Frankfurt and Munich faced cancellations highlighted the potential consequences of stalled talks. The carrier has indicated it will adjust wages as discussions continue, aiming to avoid widespread disruption while meeting union expectations.
In the broader context, the situation illustrates the ongoing tension between airline cost controls and the need to maintain high safety and service standards. The discussion around working hours, rest, and fair pay remains central as European airline crews navigate post-pandemic recovery, staffing pressures, and the evolving market environment. Attribution: Vereinigung Cockpit and Lufthansa bargaining communications.