KLM ground staff might be about to make your Schiphol departure next week… a bit more dramatic.
As reported by RTL Nieuws, KLM ground staff are threatening to strike next Wednesday, July 9, from 14:00 to 22:00.
With the summer holiday officially starting in the Netherlands and a packed airport expected, the timing couldn’t be more tense. 😬
Eight hours of action — and no more vague promises
The message from the workers’ union (CNV) is crystal clear:
‘We want KLM to come up with something concrete for the ground staff,” union negotiator Souleiman Amallah tells RTL Nieuws. ”We won’t budge for vague promises.”
KLM says it’s willing to talk, but also isn’t ruling out a return to court. In fact, the Dutch airline is preparing a new case in the hope of blocking the strike before it even begins. 👀
It’s not just about baggage
KLM’s ground staff do a lot more than you might think, from towing aircraft to making sure your suitcase joins you on holiday. 🧳
READ MORE | Summer holiday the Dutch way: 11 affordable destinations from the Netherlands
Around 14,000 employees fall under the collective labour agreement, and CNV says they’ve been waiting for real change since negotiations began in November.
While KLM claims it made a better wage offer just last week, the union clearly isn’t convinced.
Could this ground your summer flight?
So, what does this mean for your long-awaited beach trip or city break? If the strike goes ahead, KLM says it will have to cancel some flights.
”Customers affected by this will then be informed and rebooked on the next possible flight,” said KLM spokesperson Anoesjka Aspeslagh.
While the exact impact is still being worked out, one thing’s for sure — your travel plans might hit some unexpected turbulence.
@klm Caught in the chaos of airport life? Trust us, you're not alone, but we're here to help you navigate🤝 #KLM #Royaldutchairlines #airportadventures #realitycheck #airport ♬ som original – Lana🌸
However, the strike might not go ahead at all. Just last week, a judge blocked a planned 24-hour strike, calling it too risky for safety and public order during the busy travel period.
But this time, CNV believes the shorter, eight-hour strike can proceed safely, pointing to new agreements with both KLM and Schiphol regarding staff levels and safety procedures. 🤞
What do you think: is the strike a fair move by the ground staff, or is it bad timing with summer travel heating up? Let us know in the comments! 👇
