Lufthansa Cargo plans short-time work for staff

Lufthansa Cargo, one of the leading air cargo carriers of the world, is set to introduce short-time working in response to the global slump in that traffic and resulting cutbacks in its frei-ghter service operations.

The German air cargo carrier said in a statement that its executive board had reached an agreement on that move with the company's works council. The details of a corresponding company agreement are to be hammered out by a negotiating commission "as soon as possible".

"Short-time work would affect about 2,600 employees of the Lufthansa Cargo carrier in Germany. The envisaged measures will allow the company to adapt staffing capacities flexibly to accommodate declining demand," said Carsten Spohr, the Chairman of Lufthansa Cargo.

"Demand for air freight capacities has fallen sharply worldwide. The production halt in diverse industries has hit the entire international logistics business, especially the air cargo industry. After scaling back our freighter capacities, flexible adjustment of staffing capacities has become inevitable in the company's present situation.

"We are nevertheless confident that we will be able to safeguard all jobs at Lufthansa Cargo."

Lufthansa Cargo pointed out that its freight tonnage had "plummeted" by 21.4 per cent in December compared to December 2007.

"Demand was still at a low level after the turn of the year owing to longer works holidays over Christmas, production cutbacks and short-time work in an array of industries," it said.

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