KLM ground staff at Schiphol are staging a series of strikes organised by unions FNV and CNV, leading to widespread flight cancellations and escalating tensions with management.
On Wednesday, September 17, a four-hour strike caused the airline to cancel over 175 departures and 90 arrivals, disrupting tens of thousands of passengers. The week before, a shorter two-hour stoppage had already grounded more than 100 flights, affecting 27,000 travellers.
Unions argue that the 14,000 ground staff are losing purchasing power and accuse KLM of favouring pilots with extra benefits. They have announced further actions: a six-hour strike on September 24 (08:00–14:00) and an eight-hour strike on October 1 (06:00-14:00), with the possibility of escalation if no new labour agreement is reached.
KLM warns that repeated strikes—already costing the airline millions—are “irresponsible and unjustified,” putting its financial stability and future at risk. Unions counter that management is leaving workers with no choice, stressing that employee anger and willingness to strike are only growing.