(CNN) -- The pilots' union of Lufthansa began a strike Monday after a last-ditch effort at negotiations over pay and job security failed, a spokeswoman for the airline told CNN.
The four-day work stoppage by the pilots' union of one of the world's largest airlines threatened to disrupt travel on more than two dozen partner airlines later on Monday. About 800 of 1800 scheduled flights through Thursday have been cancelled, the company said.
More than 4,000 members of Vereinigung Cockpit, the pilots union, walked off the job at midnight Monday (6 p.m. Sunday ET) through Thursday over protracted contract negotiations centering around pay and job security.
"Vereinigung Cockpit attempted two times (over the weekend) to get the Lufthansa management to continue negotiations but in the end it showed clearly that Lufthansa is not interested and looks for the confrontation," said Joerg Handwerk, a pilot and representative for the union. "Now they've got it."
Lufthansa is considering taking legal action to halt the industrial action, the largest in German aviation history.
"In the eyes of our customers, it looks dramatic. It's the worst strike in the history of German air travel," said Klaus Walter, a Lufthansa spokesman. "We are trying behind the scenes with all our available employees to soften the consequences for our customers."
The action by Lufthansa pilots signaled growing labor unrest across Europe. The industrial action by the pilots started the same day that British Airways cabin staff were expected to announce the outcome of its strike vote. On Wednesday in Greece, a mass public and private sector strike is being planned to protest the government's austerity plan.
In anticipation of the strike, Lufthansa planned to cancel two-thirds of its scheduled flights involving wide-bodied aircraft from Monday to Thursday. The airline was hoping to meet 50-60 percent of its daily schedule.
CNN's Richard Quest asks: How is the strike affecting you?
The bulk of the disruptions are expected to begin later Monday since most German airports prohibit flights overnight. Two-thirds of the cancelled flights are short-haul flights within Europe, said Frank Puettman, a spokesman for Lufthansa in Singapore. One third of the cancelled flights are international flights.
Still, passengers at Frankfurt Airport on Sunday were already feeling inconvenienced.
"It makes me angry because for me, normally I would (leave) on Monday morning," said one passenger. "Now I have to go Sunday evening and my family's at home and I have to (return) tomorrow night with the train. So it's uncomfortable." "It's inconvenient and it's not justified at all," another passenger said.
Company officials admitted it would have a "heavy influence" on its international operations, which includes flights to 80 countries worldwide.
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In 2008, Lufthansa was the number two international carrier by passengers with 42.2 million, according to the International Air Transport Association.
The threatened walkout came as the airline industry is digging out of the worst one-year drop-off in flights, according to IATA.
In 2009, revenues dropped nearly 15 percent worldwide after generating a record $535 billion the previous year. Passenger travel fell a record 3.5 percent and freight fell more than 10 percent, according to IATA figures.
Lufthansa officials said at a news conference last Thursday it would cost the airline about $33 million a day.
Many of Lufthansa's pilots have been working without a contract since March and more than 90 percent of the union's members voted to strike, said Jorg Handwerg, a pilot and representative for the union.
The union sought a 6.4 percent pay increase. The union is also concerned with the airline's recent buying spree of small regional carriers, such as BMI and Austrian Airlines which, it says, is cannibalizing flights away from union-flown routes.
"We fly less hours and have less potential for (performance-related bonuses)," Handwerg said. "We want to have the opportunity to grow, but instead it shrinks."
In a statement, Lufthansa said: "In addition to demands on job security, however, the union also insisted on a greater say on fundamental entrepreneurial issues, equating to intervention in business management at the airline. That demand cannot be accepted."
The airline is allowing passengers to rebook flights for tickets purchased before February 18 and plans to give German domestic passengers rail vouchers.
But one Lufthansa passenger said she is having trouble reaching a compromise with the airline.
"I spent several hours on the phone with Lufthansa to try and figure out what I can do, but now I've been told that I can't even get a refund," said Ruth Winblad, who is supposed to fly Monday from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Rome, Italy.
Lufthansa is one of the largest carriers on Star Alliance, a network of 26 airlines that share ticketing and routes for international travel. Travelers on Star Alliance flights are advised to check their tickets for Lufthansa flights and contact their carrier about any potential changes, said Markus Ruediger, Star Alliance spokesman.
Star Alliance member airlines are: Adria, Air Canada, Air China, Air New Zealand, ANA, Asiana Airlines, Austrian, Blue 1, BMI, Brussels Airlines, Continental Airlines, Croatia Airlines, Egypt Air, Lot Polish Airlines, Lufthansa, Scandinavian Airlines, Shanghai Airlines, Singapore Airlines, South African Airways, Spanair, Swiss, Tap Portugal, Thai Airlines, Turkish Airlines, United Airlines and U.S. Airways.
Partner airlines were preparing for the strike.
"Some of our codeshare flights with Lufthansa may be affected during the period of the strike. We are in contact with Lufthansa and will be informed of the affected flights as soon as details are made available," said Nicholas Ionides, Singapore Airlines spokesman.
"Should there be customers traveling on affected Lufthansa-operated codeshare flights, they will be contacted and re-accommodated on the best next available schedule."
A spokeswoman for Continental Airlines told CNN on Sunday that the airline will offer passengers refunds or rebook their travel if they are affected.
Japan's All Nippon Airways has cancelled a total of eight flights to Frankfurt during the strike period, the airline said.
CNN's Kevin Voigt, Stefan Simons, Phil Han and Greg Morrison contributed to this report.
