Lufthansa, pilots await proposal from mediator in pay talks

Pay talks between Lufthansa management and its pilots' union have ended without the two sides reaching a deal, and the next step is for the mediator to propose a solution to the long-running row, the Vereinigung Cockpit union said Tuesday. The two sides held 2 weeks of talks, led by mediator Gunter Pleuger, in a bid to resolve a long-running row over pay contracts dating back to 2012 for around 5,400 Lufthansa pilots. "Despite intensive discussions, an agreement could not be reached," VC said, adding Pleuger would make a recommendation by Feb 10. The two sides will then discuss how to respond to the recommendation. Lufthansa's pilots have walked out 15 times since early 2014 over dispute with management on topics including pay and early retirement, costing the carrier hundreds of millions of euros in lost profits. <br/>