08 August 2007: German carrier Air Berlin has reached its first ever collective labour agreement with unions representing the airline’s pilots and cabin crew.

Air Berlin, which has historically been set against union recognition, has been forced to address the issue as a result of the airline’s expansion. It has not only developed organically but increased its operations through the acquisition of German carriers DBA and LTU, both of which have long standing union recognition.

The new collective labour agreement has been reached with pilots group Vereinigung Cockpit while a similar deal for cabin crew is being developed with the Verdi services union and covers payment and conditions.

The agreement reached for the airline’s pilots is separate from the collective pacts which govern the LTU and DBA pilots. LTU pilots have recently voted in favour of industrial action in a dispute over reaching a collective agreement within Air Berlin.