The collective labor agreement consultations resumed on January 7. In recent weeks, all parties have been able to reflect on the impasse that arose at the end of last year. Unfortunately, we have again made little progress. In this info I want to explain this briefly. In addition, I would like to draw your attention to the upcoming elections for the new works council at KLM.

Back at the table

With new energy, we started collective bargaining at the beginning of this year. In recent weeks, everyone has had the opportunity to think carefully about the difficult situation in which KLM finds itself. Whether it’s the political hassle around Schiphol, public opinion in the Netherlands about aviation or the specific situation of KLM itself.

It soon became apparent that the positions of the CLA parties have hardly changed. De Unie recognizes that in order to be able to finance the necessary investments, KLM’s economic results must be improved. We therefore understand a large number of the measures announced from ‘Back on Track’. Increasing earning capacity, reducing absenteeism, reconsidering investments, etc. are all logical steps. It is also important that KLM is able to use the full capacity of the network. Due to the shortage of pilots (and technicians), this has not been possible to date, and KLM has been in discussion with the pilots for months about the summer production 2025. This has a huge impact on KLM’s result.

Unfortunately, KLM’s position at the collective labor agreement table at Grond is unchanged. Two years of the zero line and looking for even more productivity and reduction of costs. In addition, KLM fully indicates that jobs (especially indirect staff) will disappear.

Stop button

For De Unie and fellow unions, this has been a reason to press the ‘stop button’. We do not accept any deterioration of the terms of employment at Grond. We want ‘normal’ collective labor agreements. KLM must tackle the problems in the places where the problems are. It makes no sense to put the bill on the ground staff. Before you know it, KLM will need the labor market allowance again at Land to be able to pay market-based salaries in a large number of places. And that is not the way we want to go.

In addition, it is also important to see how the discussion between KLM and the pilots about summer production 2025 will end. We think it is a pity that a lot has been published in the press about this and that – after months of consultation – there seems to be no agreement on the compensations for the productivity-enhancing measures. Measures that are desperately needed to substantially improve KLM’s results.

What next?

At the end of this month, a number of dates are planned to start talks in a multi-context (all unions at KLM) on common topics such as wages. Because it is not only at Grond that collective bargaining is extremely difficult, it remains to be seen whether these consultations will continue. This will become clear in the coming weeks.

De Unie is now very worried. Never before have the differences between KLM and the Ground Unions seemed so great. KLM is pulling the brakes hard. And where KLM seems to be able to pull out the wallet at one collective labor agreement table to make agreements about productivity improvement, at the other collective labor agreement table they are mainly looking for money. Loss of employment, less room for policy for the elderly and ‘free’ productivity improvement…

Works council and group committee elections

Finally, we would like to draw your attention to the upcoming elections for the group committees and works council. You can apply for this until Monday 27 January via De Unie.

Employee participation plays an increasingly important role in labour relations in the Netherlands, and certainly also at KLM. You will find all the information in this previous info.

A number of candidates have already reported to us. Are you also interested? Then let us know! More information about the elections and how to stand as a candidate can be found here.

So much for this message. Feel free to share the message with your colleagues and convince them of the usefulness of membership of De Unie. Especially now!

We will keep you informed – as always – of further developments!

Sincerely,
also on behalf of the delegation members,

Huug Brinkers
Advocate