KLM scraps 100 flights on Wednesday over ground crew strike; 27,000 travelers affected

KLM canceled over 100 flights scheduled for Wednesday due to a strike among its ground crew. Around 27,000 travelers are affected, a KLM spokesperson told NU.nl.

KLM’s ground crew workers will strike for two hours on Wednesday morning, protesting for a better collective bargaining agreement. The ground crew includes the employees who tow aircraft to the right position, assist passengers, and load and unload baggage. No flights are possible without them.

The airline and trade unions have been negotiating this collective agreement for months. On Thursday, KLM reached an agreement with three trade unions, but FNV and CNV rejected the offer and called on their members to strike.

Among other things, the unions want more permanent jobs and a wage increase that at least matches inflation, so that workers’ purchasing power is maintained. CNV and FNV also repeatedly pointed out what they consider a mismatch in how KLM treats its staff at different levels, increasing remuneration for pilots and management while starting the ground crew negotiations with no wage increase on offer.

KLM’s ground crew staff members affiliated with CNV and FNV will strike on Wednesday, September 10, from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Another strike is scheduled for the same time next week.