Union threatens strikes unless Lufthansa makes concessions in wage dispute

A trade union representing Lufthansa's cabin-crew Wednesday threatened strikes that could fall during the busy Christmas period if the airline does not make concessions in a wage dispute. Trade union UFO said that if no progress was made during talks, it would announce next Thursday when and where strikes would take place and for how long they would last. A Lufthansa spokesman said the airline would use the time to try to come to an agreement with UFO, adding that a solution could only be found in joint discussions and arbitration. "You can't strike and arbitrate at the same time," the spokesman said. Cabin crew held a strike over pay and pensions for 2 days earlier this month, resulting in the cancellation of 1 in 5 flights, affecting around 180,000 passengers and costing the airline E10-20m. <br/>