KLM reaches deal with cabin crew union

After long and intensive consultations, KLM has finally reached an agreement with the cabin crew unions on a mutually balanced package of agreements for the next 15 months, the airline announced on Friday. According to KLM, this package, which will be in effect until April 1st next year, makes significant contributions to the objectives of Perform 2020. Among other things, the package states that there will be no forced dismissals for economic reasons during the collective bargaining period as long as the currently used instruments, such as more or less work or part time work, remain sufficient. If these instruments prove to be insufficient, KLM and the cabin crew unions will discuss what to do next. The work and rest time regulation has been adjusted. Trip leave of 6 days or longer will be shorter by 1 day. This adjustment will be implemented as soon as possible. Cabin crew will also give up 1 vacation day in the winter. The number of vacation days in the summer for employees aged 50 years and older remains 24 consecutive days. The mandatory one-day English course for Assistant and Senior Purser will fall away. It was also agreed that all Senior Pursers can be used as Pursers on intercontinental flights for the purpose of familiarization. This remains in effect until the introduction of a computer based training at the end of 2016. The parties agreed that a portion of the money from pension contributions that is now available as a result of new tax legislation, can be used to increase disposable income. KLM also promised to provide an elaboration on the KLM vision on the themes network, customer and organization, with particular attention paid to the role of the cabin crew before July 1st. The unions will now discuss this package with their members. "It is of great importance that we have now also reached a negotiation result with the cabin crew unions. Agreeing on cutting back on employment conditions is not easy. I have great appreciation for the cabin crew unions, who show their responsibility in the reaching of this result." said Aart Slagt, KLM Executive Vice President Human Resources and Industrial Relations.