Amsterdam Schiphol could face new disruptions on September 10 after unions FNV and CNV, representing thousands of KLM ground staff, confirmed they will organize a two-hour strike. According to the announcement, a four-hour walkout is planned a week later, further escalating the months-long conflict between unions and the management of the Dutch national carrier, reports AeroTime.
The strike was triggered by a collective labor agreement signed with three other unions – NVLT, VKP, and De Unie – which grants most ground staff a 2.25% pay raise through mid-2026, a one-time €750 bonus, improved early retirement conditions, and changes to profit-sharing. While KLM argues that this is a reasonable compromise given rising costs and limited margins, FNV and CNV say the deal is insufficient to safeguard employees’ purchasing power.
“Within KLM’s financial realities, we have achieved a strong agreement on compensation, career development, and flexibility. This is good news for colleagues and for the company as a whole. I call on FNV and CNV to join us in this agreement,” said Chief Human Resources Officer Miriam Kartman.
The unions, however, stress that the issue goes deeper than pay. According to them, workers on temporary contracts remain unprotected, and physically demanding ground jobs are not properly valued. They warn that discontent has been building since June, when the first round of negotiations failed and strike attempts were either postponed or blocked by court rulings.
As AeroTime notes, KLM has since reached agreements with pilots and other unions, further straining relations with FNV and CNV. Although a complete halt of flights is not expected, delays and operational difficulties are considered almost inevitable at one of Europe’s busiest hubs.
