KLM ground crew on strike today

The ground staff of Dutch airline KLM is striking on Thursday, union FNV announced. Between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. participating staff members will not load any cargo onto airplanes, only unload, ANP reports. According to FNV director Zakaria Boufangacha, passengers flying with KLM should not be affected by the strike. "Provided that KLM has its planning in order, because that’s been a tough challenge this past time”, the director said on Wednesday. The FNV members of the ground staff are striking to reinforce their demands for a better collective bargaining contract. These demands include a 1 percent wage increase for everyone, more permanent jobs for temporary workers and no reduction in vacation and senior days. The union gave KLM an ultimatum to meet these demands, which KLM decided not to give in to.