Lufthansa Group has reached a collective bargaining agreement with trade union representative Verdi for a 4.6% total pay increase for over 20,000 ground staff in Germany. This represents around one-fifth of the group's entire workforce.
“After challenging negotiations, we succeeded in reaching a good compromise together at the negotiating table — without industrial action and without burdens — to our customers or additional economic disruptions,” said Deutsche Lufthansa member of the executive board Michael Niggemann.
The agreement has a minimum term of 26 months, retroactive starting January 1, 2026.
The pay increase will be provided in two stages.
Employees of Lufthansa Technik and Lufthansa Cargo will receive a 2.2% pay increase retroactive to January 1, 2026, followed by an additional 2.4% increase on March 1, 2027.
Ground staff at Deutsche Lufthansa AG will receive a 2.2% increase starting January 1, 2027, with a further 2.4% increase on March 1, 2027. Lufthansa said the delay for this group is “due to the challenging economic situation at Lufthansa Airlines”.
The bargaining agreement will be concluded upon approval from relevant committees.