The negotiations between the service union Verdi and the holiday airline Tuifly about new wage agreements for the approximately 2.000 employees on board, on the ground and in technical departments have reached a critical point. An offer from the employers, which provides for annual wage increases of 2,33 percent over a period of 36 months, was rejected by the responsible wage committee as "not negotiable". Verdi makes it clear that without substantial improvements, industrial action could be taken. Warning strikes in February are already a realistic option to increase the pressure on the employers.
Collective bargaining began in December 2024 and affects key areas of the company, including cabin crew, ground staff and technical departments. Verdi is demanding a salary increase of 17 percent or at least 500 euros per month for a period of twelve months. In addition to this core demand, the union is also demanding the reversal of deteriorations that were introduced as part of a so-called crisis agreement in 2021. This agreement was reached during the Corona pandemic to compensate for the company's economic losses. Now that the aviation industry is picking up speed again, Verdi is pushing for a return to better conditions.
One of Verdi's main points of criticism is the inadequate remuneration compared to competitors. The union points to Discover Airlines, a subsidiary of Lufthansa, whose starting salary for cabin crew is almost 700 euros per month higher than that of Tuifly. Verdi argues that other airlines have reached wage agreements in recent years that have been able to better compensate for high inflation. This underpins the demand for a significantly better offer from Tuifly.
Reaction of the union and impending escalation
In a statement, Verdi made it unmistakably clear that the offer presented did not even begin to take the increased cost of living into account. A member of the collective bargaining committee made the following statement: "The employees have had to accept considerable financial losses over the years. The current economic situation and the company's increasing profits no longer justify any restraint."
In this context, the threat of warning strikes is a typical means used by the union to strengthen its negotiating position. The first actions could take place in the coming weeks if there is no rapprochement by then. Verdi is calling on Tuifly to present an improved offer at short notice in order to prevent an escalation of the conflict.
In Germany, warning strikes are a permissible means of emphasizing demands in collective bargaining. However, they may only take place during an ongoing collective bargaining round and must be announced by the union. However, such measures could have significant consequences for Tuifly passengers. Strikes at airlines have already led to flight cancellations and delays in the past.
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