KLM ground staff were all set to down tools this Wednesday for eight hours, but the Dutch court has said, “Not so fast!”
A judge in Amsterdam grounded the planned eight-hour strike, citing unacceptable security risks and a big ol’ headache for summer travellers.
For now, flights go on
This isn’t the first time that a strike was brought to a halt. Last month, a court in Haarlem ruled that a 24-hour strike by KLM ground staff could not go ahead. Why? Too much potential for chaos at Schiphol.
According to the NOS, the Federation of Dutch Trade Unions (FNV) and the workers’ union (CNV) had hoped to strike for part of Wednesday instead, but a summary judge wasn’t having it.
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With the holiday season kicking off, cancelled flights would leave passengers stuck, stressed, and scrambling for alternatives.
Schiphol Airport chimed in too, warning that a strike could lead to:
- Overflowing parking spaces for aircrafts (yes, apparently that’s a thing),
- Flights getting rerouted to other airports,
- Security lines so long you might grow a beard in them,
- And even some terminal tempers flaring among stranded travellers.
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KLM, meanwhile, is breathing a sigh of relief. The airline called the court’s decision a win for passengers and operations, adding that the real solution isn’t striking, it’s talking.
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They’re eager to sit down with all unions and hammer out a new collective labour agreement.
Small strikes still possible
The unions? Not thrilled. FNV says they’re disappointed and weighing their next steps. FNV director John van Dorland tells the NOS, “We haven’t decided anything yet. I also can’t say yet whether we’re going to appeal.”
When asked if future strikes could still be on the table, Dorland answers, “We remain combative” — sounds like strikes remain a possibility.
Interestingly, the judge reminded everyone that smaller-scale union actions have been allowed before. But given the timing and potential travel chaos, this particular strike ban was deemed fair.
So for now, it’s business as usual at Schiphol. Just don’t forget your carry-on and your patience.
Do you agree with the judge’s decision to block the strike, or should the unions have been allowed to go ahead? Let us know in the comments!
