THE pilots of KLM announced that they would strike for an hour at the airportAmsterdam – Schiphol Monday. Through this action, they want to put pressure on KLM to obtain better working conditions.
For example, pilots want to have more influence on planning holidays. “Too often we miss our children’s birthdays and other important life moments that should come naturally to everyone”Write the VNV pilots union. The strike begins at 11 a.m. After an hour, the pilots returned to work. This only concerns flights that would take off. Pilots already in flight or having to land will of course continue their work.
VNV also wishes to increase annual wages by around 6%, partly to compensate for high inflation. KLM is proposing a 5% increase. KLM pilots also want compensation for the high workload, better planning of free hours and to be involved in KLM’s decision to fly with fewer pilots per flight. Currently, there are two to four pilots per flight.
VNV President Camiel Verhagen suspects strike could delay fifteen flights departing. He expects between fifty and a hundred union members to walk off the job. Camiel Verhagen calls on striking pilots to take action overtime if necessary and to limit delays. “We understand that this is annoying for departing travelers. But the consultation with KLM is not progressing sufficiently. This is why we unfortunately have to take this step”, he indicates. The president points out that the union has been trying to reach an agreement for more than six months. “What we are asking for is entirely appropriate given the high workload and lack of staff. We want to be able to continue to carry out our work responsibly”says Verhagen. “Our proposal not only does justice to the pilots, but is also good for KLM. We are ready to further increase productivity, which will generate hundreds of millions of additional revenues for KLM. » If VNV fails to achieve a agreement with the airline, more ambitious actions could follow a week later, reports Verhagen.
