Pilot union VNV will not enter into talks with KLM for the time being, although the cabinet has not given the green light for the remaining state aid. A spokesman for the union said this on Sunday. VNV said on Saturday that it does not agree with the demand from Minister Wopke Hoekstra (Finance) about longer lasting wage sacrifices. Trade union FNV, which also did not agree with this on Saturday, says it will be in consultation with KLM on Sunday.
KLM informed the ministry on Saturday that the company cannot meet Hoekstra’s requirement. The airline spoke of a “worrying impasse”. The minister thinks the wage sacrifice of the KLM staff is still too meager in exchange for the billions in state aid.
Hoekstra demands that the wage sacrifice of the staff lasts as long as the term of the state aid. This probably equates to five years. Only if these are met can KLM count on the remaining 2.5 billion euros in government loans.
KLM has entered into talks about this with the unions, but announced on Saturday that FNV (ground and cabin crew) and VNV (pilots) do not agree with the requirement. The unions previously made agreements with KLM for two and one and a half years respectively, and submitted this plan to the ministry on 1 October.
FNV said on Saturday that it was surprised about the “last minute” extra condition of the cabinet. Hoekstra, however, announced on Friday that the agreements were clear according to him. According to the ministry, the ball is now back with KLM. However, the question is whether Hoekstra will stand firm if the deadlock continues.
KLM is having a hard time. The parent group made a loss of no less than 1.7 billion euros in the third quarter. The government has always emphasized that KLM, and also Schiphol, is of crucial importance to the Dutch economy. That is also one of the reasons that Hoekstra wants to guarantee a billion-dollar loan, provided the conditions are met.
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