The Cockpit Association is calling for arbitration in the crisis negotiations with TUI. After months of unsuccessful attempts to reach a result through negotiation, a new approach is now necessary.
"Time is of the essence - the company needs liquidity and the pilots are prepared to make a crisis contribution of 200 million euros. In return for these significant concessions, we expect sustainable protection against dismissal. We have done it at Lufthansa - the same is certainly possible at TUIFly," said Marcel Gröls, who is responsible for collective bargaining policy on the board of the Cockpit Association.
Arbitration is often used in wage disputes to resolve deadlocked negotiations. In the current situation, which involves protecting employees' jobs, the VC expects that the TUI Group will not oppose the proposal. "In theory, the group was provided with 430.000 euros in state funds for each German job. It is only fair and reasonable to avoid layoffs wherever possible, even if, in the worst case, jobs have to be reduced. Especially since significantly fewer jobs are being lost at other European TUI companies," Gröls continued.
In the numerous rounds of negotiations over the past few months, the Cockpit Association has repeatedly reiterated its willingness to make far-reaching and very painful cuts in return for comprehensive protection against dismissal. However, the collective bargaining commission's demands fell on deaf ears with the employer. "At this point in time, therefore, arbitration is the most appropriate means of getting the stalled talks back on track and reaching a compromise that is acceptable to all sides," the press release states.