Dutch airline KLM cancelled about 100 flights on Tuesday due to a strike by ground crew at Amsterdam’s Schiphol Airport, a spokesperson for the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM confirmed.
In Accra, many passengers arrived without their accompanying luggage as a result of the disruption.
Ground crew workers employed by KLM began their strike at Schiphol on Wednesday morning, demanding a better collective bargaining agreement.
The strike, which runs from 8:00 a.m. to noon, forced the airline to scrap around 100 flights, affecting about 27,000 travellers. Schiphol authorities have urged passengers to check their flight status before heading to the airport, warning of possible delays and cancellations.
Last week, a similar strike—lasting two hours shorter—also led to the cancellation of 100 flights, disrupting travel plans for 27,000 passengers. Ground crew workers include those who assist passengers, load and unload baggage, and taxi planes to the runway.
The action is being organised by trade unions FNV and CNV, who rejected an offer by KLM that three other unions had accepted. According to the unions, KLM ignored their key demand: protecting the purchasing power of ground staff.
They argue that while pilots and management have received pay increases and extra benefits, ground workers were initially offered no wage adjustments.
FNV has also announced two additional strikes on September 24 and October 1, each lasting two hours longer than the previous one.
“Pilots are getting extra benefits at the expense of ground staff. We won’t be brushed aside,” FNV’s John van Dorland said.
CNV negotiator Souleiman Amallah added that the ground crew are “really very angry” and believe KLM management is treating them unfairly. “The willingness to strike is strong and grows by the day,” he said.
A KLM spokesperson described the strikes as “irresponsible and unjustified,” adding that last week’s action alone cost the airline €10 million. The spokesperson warned that the repeated strikes could endanger the airline’s future.
Source: Graphic.com.gh
ALSO READ: