KLM Royal Dutch Airlines had to cancel 119 flights on 24 September, 2025, because of a six-hour strike by some ground staff. This is the third time that work has been stopped by ground staff—including those who handle baggage and check-in and guide the aircraft—in about three weeks.
This time the strike was called by FNV (the Netherlands Trade Union Confederation) and the Christian National Trade Union Federation (CNV) unions.
Not long ago, KLM had offered a deal to the unions— De Unie, the technical staff union NVLT and VKP— including a 2.25 per cent pay hike to be given over a period of two years. However, two of the three unions had refused to accept the offer and demanded better increments.
In fact, the unions are proposing to go on a longer strike next week, which may disrupt work for eight hours.
The latest work stoppage resulted in thousands of passengers being put through delays and having to rebook flights.
For delays of over three hours passengers are allowed to claim up to €600 in addition to a refund or rebooking offer. The airline admits that theses strikes are only adding to their woes and increasing expenses in addition to causing revenues losses.
The airline has already lost millions because of work stoppages. A repeat of such a strike will only add to the existing challenges.
The usual earning of ground staff at Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport is about €30 an hour. Workers at this hub handle immense workloads that come with heavy air traffic. Therefore, employees are not wrong in seeking better wages.
Earlier too employees have tried to stop work for longer hours. However, they were prevented from doing so due to safety reasons.
