Due to the strike, freight and luggage will not be handled. Operational director René de Groot is said to be talking to the strikers at Schiphol in the meantime. A wildcat strike means that it is not organized by the union.
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Aircraft of KLM and KLM partners that land at Schiphol, such as Delta and Air France, are also not unloaded. Staff will still ensure that people can leave the plane. But suitcases and bags remain in the hold.
KLM recognizes high work pressure
KLM acknowledges that the workload is high. The company is committed to solving staff shortages and reducing workload. “We are using all the measures that are possible.”
Hiring another handling agent at Schiphol is one of them. KLM has asked that company to temporarily take over the work of the striking staff.
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Half of the flights
According to the FNV trade union, all 150 KLM platform employees have stopped working.
KLM handles the baggage of approximately half of all flights at Schiphol. FNV says that KLM is the largest, but also pays the employees the least and gives few permanent contracts.
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Schiphol: extra challenge on an already busy day
The airport calls the strike by KLM employees ‘an extra challenge’. A Schiphol spokesperson emphasizes that employees try to assist travelers as best they can by sharing information and helping them to the gate.
The airport had already warned people about long lines and crowds prior to the May holiday. Between April 23 and May 8, Schiphol expects an average of 174,000 passengers every day
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