According to the Associated Press and Forbes magazine, Deutsche Lufthansa AG says a four-day strike by its pilots planned for next week is still possible despite efforts to settle the dispute though arbitration. February's strike reportedly grounded 2,000 flights, and cost the airline millions.
No talks between Germany's biggest airline and the Cockpit union, which represents 4,000 pilots, have been scheduled yet, Lufthansa spokesman Klaus Walther said.
On Thursday, The Cockpit Association said it was prepared to enter into a conciliation process offered by Lufthansa, to settle differences over pay and working conditions. Lufthansa reportedly demanded that the strike be called off before negotiations begin, and said it was not enough to suspend industrial action for the duration of any settlement process.
Many passengers have reportedly changed their travel plans after the Cockpit Association announced strike action from April 13-16, a spokeswoman for the airline said.
Walther told The Associated Press on Monday the union has not accepted the airline's call for arbitration.
Walther said the strike threat has already cost the airline several million dollars in lost revenue, and that the company was prepared "claim damages from the union in court." Cockpit officials could not be reached for comment.
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