New airberlin agreement puts 3rd pilot on extra longhaul flights

The collective labor agreement that was agreed on December 22, 2010 was officially accepted today by airberlin, LTU, and VC (Vereinigung Cockpit), the German pilots’ union. Existing operational policies for duty rosters were stipulated into the collective agreement, and a new model for stand-by duties was also agreed for the purpose of aligning the working conditions. In particular, extra long-haul flights will be carried out with an additional third pilot from May 2011 onwards.

With regard to the planned full integration of LTU cockpit staff within airberlin, existing rules safeguarding working conditions have been continued and formalized. The new collective labor agreement has been agreed for a period of three years.

The settlement reached in the current round of negotiations for LTU pilots includes accompanying regulations for LTU’s planned integration in airberlin, selectively adopted working conditions, as well as a pay freeze for 2011. This comprehensive collective labor agreement marks LTU’s and VC’s conclusion of the current round of negotiations for LTU pilots (approximately 350 pilots).

Constructive talks are now also being held with VC about alignment of working conditions for airberlin’s pilots (approximately 900) while negotiating the collective labor agreement. The aim is to reach a settlement, based on detailed interim results, by the end of February.