Lufthansa staff are favouring industrial action

CWU members at Lufthansa InTouch, the Dublin contact centre for Lufthansa located at the East Point Business Park, have delivered a resounding 98% vote in favour of industrial action to secure increased pay and their rights to collective bargaining with their employer. The skilled, multilingual workforce of approximately 140 provides global support to travel agents and business customers on ticketing and other care matters to Lufthansa’s international customer base.

Commenting on the outcome of the ballot, CWU General Secretary, Steve Fitzpatrick, said: “Workers at Lufthansa InTouch have given a very clear instruction to the CWU to pursue industrial action up to and including strike action in pursuit of pay increases and their legitimate right to collective bargaining. Despite their high levels of skill and their commitment to the company over many, many years, pay levels at Lufthansa InTouch at just above the minimum wage are derisory and completely unacceptable. The company has refused to recognise the CWU and has denied its workers their right to engage in collective bargaining to improve their pay and conditions.”

Mr. Fitzpatrick added: “This Dickensian and patronising approach to workers in Ireland from an international brand of Lufthansa’s standing would not be acceptable in their home market in Germany, and will not be accepted here in Ireland.”

The CWU will inform the company of the outcome of the ballot and, in consultation with the Workers’ Committee, consider its next steps to escalate industrial action at the company in pursuit of its claims.