KLM files preliminary injunction against unions over Schiphol ground staff strikes

KLM has filed a preliminary injunction against the unions in response to a planned strike by its ground staff at Schiphol next Wednesday. The hearing is scheduled for Friday at the Haarlem court, according to the Noord-Holland Court.

Unions FNV and CNV previously announced a strike from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m. next Wednesday, marking the fourth consecutive Wednesday that Schiphol ground staff will walk out. KLM has canceled flights on each strike day, with 119 flights affected yesterday.

FNV and CNV are frustrated that KLM plans to finalize a labor agreement with three other unions, which includes a 2.25 percent pay increase over 22 months. They claim this would lower the purchasing power of more than 14,000 KLM ground staff. KLM disputes this. Members of the unions NVLT, VKP, and De Unie still have to vote on the agreement.

KLM stated on Wednesday that the three previous strikes have already cost the airline at least 30 million euros. If ground staff strike again next week, the total losses are expected to rise by at least another 10 million euros.

FNV had two strikes blocked by the court prior to the summer vacation period, after the airline filed a preliminary injunction. The union then promised to refrain from more strikes until after the busy vacation period. The union has stated that they do not wish to return to negotiations at this point.