Lufthansa To Cut Costs With Temporary Crew

Lufthansa To Cut Costs With Temporary Crew

Lufthansa plans to hire temporary staff as flight attendants for routes to and from Berlin’s new airport to cut costs.

A spokesman for Lufthansa said on Wednesday about 200 flight attendants will be employed by a Lufthansa-owned temp agency rather than by the airline itself.

While entry-level salaries will be on a par with those at Lufthansa — EUR€1,700 (USD$2,200) gross salary per month plus benefits — contracts will end after two years. The temporary crew can then apply for a new job with Lufthansa.

The plan has come to the attention of trade union Verdi. “We believe that Lufthansa is in breach of current law,” a spokeswoman said.

Lufthansa last month announced it will launch a new cost-cutting initiative this year as a weakening global economy and high fuel costs hit profit.

(Reuters)