Germany: Union fragmentation complicates Lufthansa pay negotiations

The 2008 pay negotiations at Germany’s Lufthansa airline have been strongly influenced by the high degree of trade union fragmentation in the aviation sector, with employees represented by multiple unions, some of which compete for employees’ allegiance.

In early August 2008, a pay settlement was reached between Lufthansa AG and the ver.di services union, following five days of selective strike action that saw a number of cancelled flights.