Pilots' union at Lufthansa calls for more strikes this week in ongoing labor dispute

A union representing pilots at Germany's Lufthansa says it is calling for another targeted strike after contract talks broke down last week.

The Vereinigung Cockpit union said Monday that pilots would fly no long-haul flights from Frankfurt airport on Tuesday to push their demands over early retirement benefits.

The two sides are at odds over the pilots' demand that Lufthansa keep a transition payment for those wanting early retirement.

The airline, which faces tough competition from European budget airlines and major Gulf carriers, wants to cut those payments.

The union, which has staged several short-term strikes in recent weeks, says Lufthansa has not offered a compromise.

There was no immediate word from Lufthansa, Germany's largest airline, on whether it would implement alternate routes to mitigate flight disruptions Tuesday.