Airline pilots set to begin strike on Wednesday

onnaedo

March 17, 2015 11:02 AM

The strike action was called by the pilot's union Vereinigung Cockpit in an ongoing dispute with the airline over its early retirement benefits.

Following a dispute with the airline over its early retirement benefits, pilots at German national airline Lufthansa are set to go on strike on Wednesday, BBC reports.

The strike action was called by the pilot's union Vereinigung Cockpit in an ongoing dispute with the airline over its early retirement benefits.

Workers are also reported to be in a dispute over Lufthansa's plan to expand its low-cost operations.

Pilots have held a series of strikes from last year, which cost the airline 232m euros (N48.9 billion), over Lufthansa's plans to change their pension arrangements and this move is the latest strike action to plague the airline.

According to the union, the strike will last 24 hours, affecting flights throughout Germany. However flights at the carrier's budget units Germanwings and Eurowings will not be affected.

The airline is looking to get rid of a programme that allows pilots to retire at age 55 and receive up to 60% of their pay until they reach the statutory retirement age of 65.

The union also said that the airline wants to offer younger pilots less attractive working conditions, forcing it to strike.

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