The pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has recently reached collective bargaining agreements with the two German airlines Tuifly and Condor. The new agreements include a significant improvement in working conditions and a fair adjustment of compensation.
These agreements reflect the growing demands and challenges faced by pilots in the aviation industry and demonstrate the union's efforts to ensure sustainable working conditions for its members.
Tuifly: Significant salary increase to compensate for loss of purchasing power
The collective bargaining agreement at Tuifly, a subsidiary of the international tour operator TUI, has resulted in a noticeable improvement in the financial situation of its pilots. According to the Cockpit Association, the salaries of Tuifly pilots have been significantly increased to offset the loss of purchasing power in recent years. This is an important measure, as inflation rates and the general economic situation have led to a significant decline in the purchasing power of many employees in recent years. Especially compared to other sectors of the aviation industry, where there have been repeated collective bargaining disputes in recent years, this collective bargaining agreement represents an important step toward ensuring fair pay for pilots.
The exact amount of the salary increases was not disclosed by the union, but the agreement is described as "significant" and "appropriate." The agreement between Tuifly and the VC also demonstrates the airline's commitment to increasing its attractiveness as an employer and encouraging pilots to work with the company long-term. Pilots' confidence in working conditions and financial compensation is a crucial factor in retaining qualified personnel in the industry, especially given the increasing competition in the airline sector.
Condor: New service rules and protection of free time
Condor, one of Germany's best-known airlines, also made adjustments as part of a new collective bargaining agreement. The negotiations with Condor primarily focused on issues relating to the collective bargaining agreement. This not only regulates compensation, but also numerous other working conditions that are important for pilots. The union and the airline agreed to "sustainably protect pilots' free time." This particularly applies to the regulations regarding working hours, which often pose a challenge to pilots' private lives. The adjustment of the working time regulations is intended to ensure that pilots receive sufficient rest periods and thus maintain a balanced workload.
At the same time, attention was also paid to operational flexibility. The new agreements are intended to enable Condor to respond quickly to changes in flight scheduling when necessary, without pilots having to work under increased pressure on a permanent basis. This means that both the airline's and the pilots' needs are taken into account to create a healthy work-life balance.
Another key issue at Condor was the so-called on-call duty. This will now be simplified, which should significantly improve work organization for pilots. On-call duty often represents an additional burden, as it requires constant availability and the ability to step in at short notice. Simplifying this process is intended to provide pilots with more predictability and reduce stress.
Agreement as proof of innovative solutions
The Cockpit Association emphasizes that the new collective bargaining agreements not only bring improvements for pilots, but also serve as an example of innovative and sustainable solutions within existing collective agreements. This is particularly evident in the successful balance between the interests of pilots and the operational requirements of airlines. The union emphasizes that such agreements are necessary to stabilize working conditions in the aviation industry in the long term and maintain the attractiveness of the profession. In times of skilled labor shortages and increasing demands on the aviation industry, such solutions are crucial.
The agreements also send a clear message to employers that pilots' work must be valued not only financially, but also through fair working hours and a reasonable work-life balance. The collective bargaining agreements at Tuifly and Condor thus offer a model for how both the airlines' operational interests and the needs of pilots can be taken into account.
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