KLM Ground Staff Strike at Schiphol Airport Threatens Travel Delays Over Pay Dispute

A KLM ground staff strike at Schiphol Airport is set to disrupt operations at one of Europe’s busiest aviation hubs, as workers demand a fairer pay deal amid ongoing negotiations. Amsterdam Schiphol Airport, the primary base for the Dutch flag carrier, faces potential delays and chaos on September 10, 2025, when unions FNV and CNV have called for a two-hour walkout from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. This industrial action stems from deep-seated frustrations over a recently signed three-year collective labor agreement (CLA) that the unions rejected outright. While KLM secured the deal with three other unions, NVLT, VKP, and De Unie, representing a majority of ground personnel, FNV and CNV argue it falls short on wage increases and fails to adequately protect workers’ purchasing power in the face of rising inflation and operational demands. The agreement proposes a modest 2.25% salary hike through 2026, but the dissenting unions view this as insufficient, especially given the physically taxing nature of ground handling roles and the airline’s recent financial recovery. KLM ground staff, numbering in the thousands, are essential to the airport’s daily rhythm, managing everything from baggage loading and aircraft towing to passenger check-in and fueling. Their strike at Schiphol Airport highlights broader tensions in the aviation sector, where labor disputes over pay deals have repeatedly threatened flight schedules and passenger experiences. As the airline navigates post-pandemic growth, this escalation underscores the challenges of balancing employee compensation with corporate profitability at a time when Schiphol Airport is already strained by high traffic volumes and infrastructure limitations.