The cabin crew of Lufthansa have vowed to start a seven-day strike beginning on Friday.
The announcement was made by the cabin crew union Ufo.
Lufthansa has been beset by strikes. The pilots have walked out thirteen times since April 2014 with the last strike called off only when a court deemed it was illegal.
Now the cabin crew are taking on management over a “transitional care” clause in workers’ contracts related to early retirement. The union is pressing the airline to maintain its financial commitment to the staff retirement funds.
Lufthansa’s latest offer was rejected by the union on Sunday. The union presented an alternative offer and has given management until Thursday to accept it.
This is the first time a disagreement between Lufthansa and the Ufo union has approached industrial action.
Facing stiff competition from budget carriers, Lufthansa is trying to reduce operating costs.
