AMSTERDAM- KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (KL) has canceled more than 100 flights scheduled for Wednesday due to a strike by its ground crew at Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS). The disruption has affected around 27,000 passengers, according to a KLM spokesperson.
The strike, led by unions FNV and CNV, will last for two hours on Wednesday morning. KLM ground staff—including baggage handlers, towing operators, and passenger service agents—are demanding better terms in a new collective labor agreement, nu.nl reported.
Photo: By Aero Icarus from Zürich, Switzerland – KLM Cityhopper Embraer 190; PH-EZP@AMS;15.04.2013/705by, CC BY-SA 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26631779KLM Airlines Cancels 300 Flights
Ground staff play a critical role in keeping operations moving. Without them, aircraft cannot be positioned, loaded, or prepared for departure.
The two-hour strike from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. has forced KLM to cancel a large number of flights, underscoring their essential role in day-to-day operations.
Negotiations over a new collective bargaining agreement have been ongoing for months. Last week, KLM reached a deal with three trade unions—VKP, De Unie, and NVLT—but FNV and CNV rejected the agreement, saying it did not meet minimum demands.
Both unions argue that the proposed 2.25 percent wage increase until 2026 is far below inflation, leaving employees worse off in real terms.
Union representatives have also criticized what they see as an imbalance in KLM’s treatment of staff. While pilots and management have secured higher compensation and bonuses, ground crew have been offered limited increases despite heavy workloads at Schiphol.
Photo: By Russell Lee, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=48377114Union Positions and Tensions
FNV official John van Dorland described KLM’s decision to proceed with an agreement without the two largest unions as a “direct declaration of war.” He accused the airline of deliberately dividing staff and sidelining major worker groups.
CNV official Souleiman Amallah echoed this criticism, calling the deal a “concession agreement” that fails to protect purchasing power. He confirmed that CNV, together with FNV, is preparing further work stoppages, including another strike planned for next week.
On the other side, unions that signed the agreement—VKP, De Unie, and NVLT—defend it as the best outcome possible given KLM’s financial struggles. Rising costs have put pressure on the airline’s profitability, and those unions argue that the deal balances worker demands with the company’s need to stay competitive.
De Unie chairman Reinier Castelein rejected the “declaration of war” label, saying FNV and CNV had been part of informal talks throughout negotiations. He called their strike agenda “irresponsible” and urged them to return to constructive dialogue.
Photo: PixabayContext of Labor Disputes
The conflict over ground crew contracts follows a series of disputes within KLM in recent years. In June, talks stalled between the airline and unions, and initial strike attempts were blocked by the courts. Strikes were then postponed until after the summer holiday peak.
Earlier this year, KLM also reached a separate agreement with its pilots represented by VNV, ensuring flight operations remain stable at the cockpit level. However, the rift with ground staff highlights ongoing divisions within the workforce.
Union representatives stress that strikes are not undertaken lightly. Employees lose part of their income during stoppages, and only union members receive partial compensation from strike funds. For many, striking is seen as a last resort after repeated failed negotiations.
Photo: By Cjh1452000 – Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=16245498Bottom Line
With over 100 flights canceled, passengers at Schiphol (AMS) faced widespread delays and rebookings.
The disruption adds to pressure on one of Europe’s busiest airports, which has already struggled in past summers with staff shortages and long queues.
KLM is advising travelers to check the latest flight information before heading to the airport. The airline has also noted that further disruptions cannot be ruled out if the labor dispute remains unresolved.
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