KLM ground workers secure 3.25% pay raise after strikes

Members of KLM’s ground staff unions have approved a new collective labor agreement that ends a series of strikes that disrupted hundreds of flights at Schiphol Airport.

Under the new two-year agreement, KLM will raise wages by 3.25 percent, an increase above the 2.25 percent previously agreed with the other unions.

The airline employs approximately 14,000 ground staff. They are responsible for tasks including loading and unloading baggage, moving aircraft, and assisting travelers.

The agreement, reached with unions FNV and CNV, was previously a principle deal finalized at the end of October. KLM said the deal is now widely supported, including by the other unions representing ground staff: De Unie, NVLT, and VKP.

FNV and CNV had opposed the lower increase, citing insufficient compensation, which led to multiple strike actions at Schiphol.

In addition to the wage increase, employees will receive a total of 750 euros in net payments and benefit from an expanded early retirement plan. KLM will also align the profit-sharing scheme for ground staff with that of other employees.

“After a period of discussion, we have now reached a broadly supported agreement with all five unions. We are pleased with this result,” said Miriam Kartman, KLM’s HR director.