Usually we don’t say much about other unions. De Unie confidently represents its own members and does not need other trade unions to profile itself. Yet we feel compelled to deviate from this line at some point. Of course, this has to do with the unusually fierce reactions to the announcement yesterday that 3 ground unions have reached a result with KLM for a new ground collective labor agreement.

Not a ‘sneaky’ deal

Contrary to what the fellow unions claim, there is no question of a ‘sneaky deal’. That is a painful and unjustified accusation. We have been in talks with KLM for about 9 months and 20 rounds of negotiations. In those discussions, the ground unions have always worked well together, despite the sometimes different views. This can be read in all the infos.

On August 27, 2025, KLM invited all ground unions again because the last multi consultation (where FNV Cabin was present) had failed and KLM indicated that it was willing to make far-reaching concessions. Three unions accepted this invitation and two unions did not. That is your own choice and nothing sneaky about it. In this conversation, KLM has indeed made many concessions. So much that everyone can see that many of the joint wishes/demands previously drawn up by 5 unions (!) were realized. The agreements on the WDR and RVU, which are important to FNV/CNV, have also been maintained.

The day before yesterday this result was finally agreed. The other two unions were the first to be informed about this and, at the express request of the three unions, were invited by KLM again to enter into talks with KLM. It is not for nothing that we have deliberately postponed our member consultation to give fellow unions the opportunity to do so. Time and again we have indicated that we have an absolute preference for a collective labor agreement with ALL unions and called on them to enter into discussions with KLM, in addition to the understandable pressure of possible actions.  

Incidentally, there is no deal at all yet. Our members have been informed and will still have the opportunity to express their views on this. Until then, there is no deal. That’s how trade union democracy works at De Unie.

Who is deceiving whom?  

The fellow unions claim that there would be no question of maintaining purchasing power and believe that this would be a case of deception. That is a firm, but completely unjustified accusation.

There is a result that achieves purchasing power retention over the period 2022/2026. We benchmark that period against the collective labor agreement wage increases of companies in the Netherlands and the median purchasing power in the Netherlands based on objective data. An analysis by De Unie over the period 2015-2026 also shows that with a wage increase of 2.25% until January 1, 2027, purchasing power is retained. The choice for a longer period (realized past and estimates for the future) is a balanced and proven methodology in which you avoid strong fluctuations. So no ‘running or standing still’.

The outcome of this methodology also illustrates that in the past we have always achieved good collective labor agreement results with all 5 unions. We assume that this is not disputed by fellow unions either.

Colleague Gertjan Tommel (employment conditions coordinator and negotiator at KLM Cabin De Unie) communicated about this before the summer holidays and then it was also discussed with colleagues from FNV and CNV in the informality. The colleagues of FNV/CNV use a different starting point. That’s allowed. But when purchasing power retention is confused with inflation alone, that is not true. The NIBUD also establishes a clear relationship between purchasing power, inflation, wages and government policy. Writing down purchasing power preservation as a requirement, but rejecting the result on the level of inflation is therefore ‘half the story’.

Who is ‘the biggest’?

The two fellow unions claim that they are numerically larger and speak rather derogatorily about the ‘three small unions’. As far as that matters at all, it is not right. The VKP, De Unie and NVLT organize a majority of the members within the land domain. This can be verified and is also visible within the employee participation.

We think that is the least important. It is not for nothing that our motto for years has been that in addition to the power of numbers, the power of the argument also counts. Why no discussion on content and good provision of information? And why don’t you ask your supporters what they think of the result? Perhaps the vast majority of KLM colleagues think positively about the result. At least then you know what your supporters think about it in its entirety.

Call from the President of De Unie

We regret many of the reactions of fellow unions. Not only in the communication to KLM employees, but also in the press. That doesn’t benefit anyone. The Netherlands does not have a unified trade union movement, so occasionally discussions are part of it, but then on content and especially not on ‘taking the measure’ of each other. The current accusations are not only harsh and unjustified, but certainly not in the interest of the hard-working KLM employees. I therefore fully agree with our chairman Reinier Castelein who reacted as follows to yesterday’s emotions:

“KLM has faced enormous challenges since 2020. Some of these have been overcome, but the company still does not have production in order. The headwind is strong and persistent.

In this time of war, it is completely inappropriate to call an agreement between KLM and three real KLM unions a declaration of war.

The battle that KLM is waging must be waged by all KLM employees together. Agreements have been made with the pilots for 10,000 extra flights. Now there is a result for ground staff that can help the company and staff move forward. FNV and CNV have had informal continuous talks with KLM. They are invited to everything. The deal contains the ‘preservation of purchasing power’ demanded by all ground unions and even specific FNV wishes.”

The battle is outside and is complicated by a politically very unfavorable climate for aviation. Campaigning only makes this fight more difficult. Come on board and let KLM staff work together again on the future.”

Sincerely,

Huug Brinkers
Advocate De Unie