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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Lufthansa pilots' strike expanded to long-haul services | Lufthansa pilots' strike expanded to long-haul services |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| Lufthansa pilots have begun their eighth strike this year, forcing the cancellation on Monday of 1,450 flights and hitting 200,000 travellers. | |
| The strike, starting at midday and lasting 35 hours, was initially targeted at mostly European flights. | |
| But the row over the German airline's bid to change retirement and pensions terms has been expanded to include international services from Tuesday. | |
| The strike follows a walk-out over the weekend by railway drivers. | |
| The German Industry Federation business lobby condemned the strikes, saying they harmed "the entire economy" by impacting logistics, tourism and business travel. | |
| Germany's economy has been slowing recently. However, the Economy Ministry said although the strikes will certainly "impact some sectors of the economy", there was no reason to change the 2014 growth forecast which was lowered this month to 1.2%. | |
| Retirement age | Retirement age |
| Last week, the pilot's union, Vereinigung Cockpit, called out its members at Lufthansa's budget airline, Germanwings, for a 12-hour stoppage. | Last week, the pilot's union, Vereinigung Cockpit, called out its members at Lufthansa's budget airline, Germanwings, for a 12-hour stoppage. |
| "Regrettably Lufthansa has not acted on the compromise proposals of VC after seven strikes now since April this year and is stonewalling," the union said in a statement. | "Regrettably Lufthansa has not acted on the compromise proposals of VC after seven strikes now since April this year and is stonewalling," the union said in a statement. |
| The union, which represents about 5,400 Lufthansa pilots, is calling on the airline to reconsider its decision to raise the age that they can retire from 55. | The union, which represents about 5,400 Lufthansa pilots, is calling on the airline to reconsider its decision to raise the age that they can retire from 55. |
| The company has offered to retain the scheme for existing members but not to extend it to new recruits. | The company has offered to retain the scheme for existing members but not to extend it to new recruits. |
| Monday's strike is expected to affect affect mostly services in Europe. Lufthansa said it hoped to be able to operate a third of its flights. | Monday's strike is expected to affect affect mostly services in Europe. Lufthansa said it hoped to be able to operate a third of its flights. |
| Germany's government is expected to produce a draft law later this year aimed at stopping small numbers of employees paralysing large parts of the country's infrastructure through strike action. | Germany's government is expected to produce a draft law later this year aimed at stopping small numbers of employees paralysing large parts of the country's infrastructure through strike action. |
| The train drivers' strike was over demands by the GDL for a 5% pay for 20,000 drivers and a shorter working week. | The train drivers' strike was over demands by the GDL for a 5% pay for 20,000 drivers and a shorter working week. |
| Deutsche Bahn has promised normal services will resume on Monday. | Deutsche Bahn has promised normal services will resume on Monday. |
| The head of the GDL union, Claus Weselsky, said there would be a week-long break before any further strikes. | The head of the GDL union, Claus Weselsky, said there would be a week-long break before any further strikes. |