Lufthansa and the German pilots’ union, Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), have agreed on a framework aimed at resolving long-running labor disputes through arbitration and mediation. This agreement reduces the risk of further pilot strikes.

Details of the Agreement

The agreement includes arbitration procedures covering Lufthansa’s core airline, Lufthansa Cargo, CityLine, and Eurowings, VC said in a letter circulated on Monday. Lufthansa confirmed on Tuesday that it had reached an agreement in principle with the union but declined to give details.

Mediation will also address broader issues in relations between the carrier and the union, VC said. Labour disputes over pilots’ pensions and other contract issues triggered six consecutive days of strikes in April, disrupting travel for hundreds of thousands of passengers.

Lufthansa has said that the strikes cost the group nearly 200 million euros ($230.74 million) in the first half of the year. VC said the agreement contains exit clauses for both sides if the process fails to achieve its objectives.

Original reporting: Appleton, WI News Feed (HLL/CB) — read the source article.