After a change from ir insolvent employer to Lufthansa's subsidiary Eurowings, Air Berlin pilots could earn more than 40 percent less than before. This comes from a draft collective agreement of Eurowings management, from which world is quoted.

Among German low-cost airlines, Eurowings pays lowest pilot salaries, reports world by citing an internal study of Pilots Association cockpit. The trade union had compared merits of crews of Air Berlin, Eurowings, Condor and easyjet in September. While staff costs of large airlines such as Lufthansa, British Airways and KLM/Air France are more than 25 percent of total cost, y are only a mere 13 percent at Air Berlin.

The criticism of million-dollar salary guarantee for Air Berlin chief Thomas Winkelmann has now also joined Verdi trade union. Winkelmann had come to Berlin in February from Lufthansa group. Despite bankruptcy, his salary is hedged for four years by a bank guarantee of up to 4.5 million euros. The fact that thousands of employees are not expected to find a connection at all at all, and at same time a chairman of Board of Directors has secured and taken care of his salary, is an unacceptable contrast, said Verdi chief Frank Bsirske. "This is outrageous, which is a mockery and an insult to workers not only in this company."

Bsirske praises transfer Company

At same time, Bsirske praised possible creation of a transfer company. It is intended to provide a perspective for those who do not find a connection to employment by means of public funds and grants from company side. Verdi has very much insisted on this possibility. "This is a good development in a scene that is orwise bad enough for employees."

Last week, Lufthansa had agreed with Air Berlin on purchase of large parts of company. Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr announced that he would take over 81 aircraft and hire new employees at ir subsidiary Eurowings Europe 3,000 – "with German employment contracts". These bodies are also to be able to apply to existing Air Berlin employees. According to Spohr, you will be credited with Air Berlin experience.

Air Berlin – The second largest German airline to date – had declared bankruptcy in mid-August. The flight operation had since been secured only by a federal loan of over 150 million euros. From 28 October onwards, Air Berlin will not offer flights under its own code and only act as a service provider for buyers until EU competition watchdogs have examined sale.

Date Of Update: 21 October 2017, 12:03