Discover Airlines is preparing for a four-day strike by its flight attendants, represented by the Independent Flight Attendants Organisation (UFO). The strike, scheduled from August 27 to August 30, is a direct result of what the union claims are attempts by the airline to influence cabin crew members to join a different union, the United Services Trade Union. This industrial action is expected to significantly disrupt departures from numerous German airports, potentially causing inconvenience for travelers.
Data from Cirium, a renowned aviation analytics company, reveals that Discover Airlines has scheduled 135 departures from Germany during the strike period, with each flight carrying an average of 212.7 passengers. The strike serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict between Discover Airlines and its flight attendants, centered around union representation and labor rights. As the strike approaches, passengers are strongly advised to stay informed about potential flight changes and adjust their travel plans accordingly to minimize any disruption.
Strike Impact:
| Date | Flights | Seats (Total) |
|————-|———|—————|
| August 27 | 31 | 6,744 |
| August 28 | 33 | 6,982 |
| August 29 | 36 | 7,689 |
| August 30 | 35 | 7,284 |
|
Total
|135
|28,699
|In a recent comparative analysis, UFO has criticized the collective labor agreement proposed by ver.di, highlighting significant shortcomings. UFO asserts that ver.di’s agreement offers considerably less favorable terms compared to what they are demanding from Discover Airlines. The union accuses Discover Airlines of failing to engage in negotiations over the past two years, leaving UFO with no choice but to advocate for a more substantial pay package.
UFO is seeking a pay increase that is approximately 20% higher than ver.di’s proposal, with the agreement extending until December 31, 2026. In contrast, ver.di’s deal would expire a year earlier. Furthermore, UFO plans to push for salary increases of 8.5% in 2025 and 6.5% in 2026, exceeding ver.di’s flat 5% raise over three years.
The discrepancies between the two unions’ proposals extend beyond base salary. UFO’s demands encompass more vacation days, additional time off, and higher allowances, aiming to provide a more comprehensive compensation package for flight attendants. These demands come amidst reports of the Lufthansa Group struggling to achieve profitability in its flagship airline. High operating costs in Germany and the impact of new collective labor agreements have strained the carrier’s earnings. In response, Lufthansa’s turnaround strategy involves expanding Discover Airlines and Lufthansa City Airlines operations at Frankfurt Airport (FRA) and Munich Airport (MUC) to maintain competitive costs.
The differences in the proposed labor agreements between UFO and ver.di reflect the broader struggle within the airline industry to strike a balance between fair compensation and operational efficiency, as outlined in UFO’s recent strike announcement.
