A proposed stop work action by KLM pilots at Amsterdam Schiphol airport planned for today has now been averted.
A one hour stop work action planned for 11.00am to 12.00pm on Monday 25 September had been planned as the union representing the pilots pushed for a more favourable collective bargaining agreement.
The brief stop work action was expected to affect 15 scheduled flight departures from Schiphol, and it was anticipated that over 3,000 pilots would join the brief action.
The union VNV had proposed an annual wage increase for its members of about 6 percent. This increase was partly to compensate for the effects of current high inflation.
Beyond the proposed increase, KLM pilots were also seeking a greater flexibility in rostering and a greater input in decision-making for crew assignments.
Essentially, the move was to improve conditions, permitting a greater management of free time and to improve future prospects for pilots.
In response, KLM has proposed a 5 percent raise for pilots. As a result, the talks had recently stalled and failed to reach a mutual agreement.
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Outline agreement reached
KLM and labor union VNV have now reached an outline agreement on a new collective labor agreement for pilots on Sunday evening, September 24.
With this agreement in outline, the planned work stoppage set for Monday, September 25, has now been cancelled.
In the coming days, KLM and VNV will further develop the outline agreement and VNV will then submit it to its Members’ Council for review and approval.
In last night’s agreement, additional agreements were made about pay increases for pilots. After approval by the Members’ Council, there is a new collective labor agreement, which will run from March 2, 2023 to February 28, 2025.
The airline stated that they were pleased that the parties were ultimately able to achieve this result through constructive consultation.
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