After four months of sporadic strikes and five rounds of negotiations, Lufthansa Cargo has proposed a new benefit agreement for its ground staff, which poses a significant economic challenge for the airline. German trade union ver.di had been advocating for a minimum 12.5% increase in basic salary for ground handling staff at Lufthansa Cargo. The union has initiated multiple strikes at the airline since January, causing disruptions across the cargo network. Despite the ongoing strikes, Lufthansa has now offered a salary increase of up to 12.5% over two years to its 20,000 employees, along with other benefits such as an increase in holiday allowance and an extension of employment guarantee. However, former head of the Federal Employment Agency, Dr. Frank-Jürgen Weise, expressed concerns about the economic implications of the agreement in a competitive international environment. Ver.di negotiator Marvin Reschinsky hailed the compromise as historic and stated that it would compensate for the decline in wages in recent years. The union is conducting a member survey to determine whether to accept or reject the offer, with a decision expected by mid-April. If accepted, the new agreement will be in effect for two years.
