KLM reaches two-year labor deal with cabin crew
KLM has finalized a new collective labor agreement (CLA) with its three cabin crew unions—VNC, FNV Cabine, and De Unie—following a positive vote by union members. The two-year agreement, effective retroactively from March 1, 2025, through February 28, 2027, comes after months of industrial action and mediation.
Under the agreement, cabin staff will receive a total salary increase of 3.25 percent: 1 percent on December 1, 2025; 1.25 percent on July 1, 2026; and 1 percent on January 1, 2027. All cabin crew members will also receive a one-time net payment of €750 in January 2026, based on full-time employment.
The CLA includes changes beyond wages. Agreements cover work schedules, allowances, and sustainable employability. The 80-90-100 scheme will be extended, a new temporary early retirement (RVU) arrangement has been agreed, and a return policy is in place for employees moving to ground positions.
The deal follows a similar framework agreement reached in October with KLM’s ground personnel, mediated by a former minister after three strikes at Schiphol Airport and multiple court cases had forced KLM to cancel hundreds of flights. Under that agreement, wages for ground staff would also rise by 3.25 percent over two years, with a 750 euro net payment and a broadened early retirement scheme. Profit-sharing arrangements were standardized to align with other employees.
John van Dorland of FNV described the deal as “the best that could be achieved, but still a very modest outcome,” which would be presented to union members as the final offer. CNV representative Souleiman Amallah called it “a positive result.” Both officials noted that the industrial actions influenced the outcome. KLM said it was satisfied to have reached agreements with all five unions amid ongoing cost-cutting efforts.
