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Hanover (dpa) - For Tui works council chief Frank Jakobi, the controversial state aid for the largest travel agent is justified.

Within the group, however, the pilots would have to ask themselves whether they could not also make a greater contribution to the rescue themselves.

"One can certainly ask the question of whether Tui as a company is systemically relevant for the Federal Republic," Jakobi said of the German Press Agency in Hanover.

«Probably not in direct form.

But in tourism as an industry, Tui is systemically relevant. "

The top employee representative of the Tui Group believes that the billion-dollar loans and guarantees, which are mainly run through the KfW development bank, are generally in order.

Because you also have to consider possible connection effects.

"If we no longer exist, then the small travel agency on the corner has almost no product and has product range problems," Jakobi explained.

"Many, many jobs and livelihoods are indirectly dependent on Tui."

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He had discussed this with Finance Minister Olaf Scholz (SPD).

"We are of course happy that we are receiving government aid."

Jakobi emphasized that these were "not gifts", but rather loans with sometimes high interest rates: "We will repay all aid, in the end the German taxpayer will earn a lot of money from Tui."

In addition, the employees with received jobs continued to pay in.

"The alternative would have been: tens of thousands of colleagues become unemployed, no longer pay taxes and receive state support such as unemployment benefits," said the works council chief.

"The second scenario does not seem to me to be an intelligent concept."

Overall, Jakobi considers the chances in the new year to be very good.

“I think 2021 will be too early for a profitable Easter program.

But we will have a good booking situation for the summer, all indicators point to it.

In 2022 we will be back where we were in 2019 before this crisis - I am firmly convinced of that. "

Industry observers also assume that things could soon improve - if corona vaccinations become widespread.

Tui must also look for further, as socially acceptable as possible savings options.

"All in all, of course, all of this is not easy for us," Jakobi said, referring to his own airline Tuifly.

“However, the pressure on colleagues and the mood vary greatly depending on the area.

There are areas that are more affected by the austerity program than others. "

The group intends to cut around 8,000 jobs, mainly abroad.

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Jakobi warned the pilots to show more solidarity.

"Almost all employees do short-time work - but one group is currently making no contribution," he criticized.

Many employees who earn well and are above the threshold for short-time work allowance have also volunteered to forego up to a fifth of their salary.

«But the pilots said:" That is out of the question for us, we do not participate in short-time work and do not forego anything with a view to short-time work ", said the head of the works council.

This attitude is different than, for example, in travel agencies, call centers or event and administrative areas, where one lags behind in the interests of the whole.

“In all areas of the TUI outside the cockpit, the works councils have taken their responsibility and negotiated short-time work,” Jakobi reported.

In the case of the pilots, however, their own staff representatives have transferred this to the Vereinigung Cockpit union.

"Many call it irresponsible and cowardly."

The behavior of the pilots is seen by the others as lacking in solidarity.

“The mood in the direction of pilots is at a low point in the group,” said Jakobi.

"This professional group is currently isolating itself."

© dpa-infocom, dpa: 210123-99-138813 / 3