After strikes: Lufthansa ground staff receive up to 18 percent more pay. Harvard University removes human skin from the cover of a book

Following the agreement in the collective labor agreement negotiation dispute in Germany, the salaries of Lufthansa’s ground staff will increase by up to 18 percent. The employees will receive higher wages in two phases over a period of 24 months, the German trade union Verdi and the company announced on Thursday in Frankfurt.

In addition, an inflation compensation bonus of 3,000 euros (approximately 2,920 francs) and other allowances were agreed. The agreement was reached thanks to a three-day mediation led by Thuringia Prime Minister Bodo Ramelow and the former head of the German Federal Labor Office, Frank-Jürgen Weise.

According to Lufthansa, the average wage increase will be 12.5 percent by the end of next year. Lower and middle wage groups are raised above average using basic amounts. This also contributes to Lufthansa remaining an attractive employer, explains Human Resources Director Michael Niggemann.

Verdi had originally demanded 12.5 percent more money for a one-year period, while before the arbitration the company had offered 10 percent more within 28 months. Verdi had organized five rounds of warning strikes in the collective bargaining dispute and prepared for indefinite strikes with a strike vote. Now the result must be confirmed in a member survey, which should be completed by mid-April. (sda/awp/dpa)