Arbitration talks between German airline Lufthansa and ground staff began on Monday, following repeated strikes in recent months that paralyzed the country’s air transport. State Premier of Thuringia, Bodo Ramelow, and the former head of the Federal Labour Agency, Frank-Jürgen Weise, are to help resolve the conflict between the company and the Verdi trade union as mediators. The parties began talks in the morning, Lufthansa confirmed. No strikes are permitted during the negotiations, which are due to end on Thursday at the latest. Verdi is demanding 12.5% more pay for Lufthansa ground staff fo…