Cargo pilots who are fighting for a better collective labor agreement are considering new actions now that KLM is not coming forward. “We feel forced to scale up the actions,” said Martin Pikaart of the AVV trade union. The pilots have been taking work breaks since Thursday, February 1.
This concerns 150 former Martinair pilots who joined KLM years ago when the airline took over Martinair. The pilots retained their old Martinair collective labor agreement, but are now fighting for equal rights and more pay. For example, the salaries of KLM cargo pilots are said to have increased by 22 percent and those of Martinair pilots by 0 percent.
KLM said it had invited the union several times to sit around the table, but the union did not respond. “That’s right,” responds Martin Pikaart of the AVV trade union. “We have talked long enough, we are done with the vague promises. We first want a commitment from KLM to increase wages, then we will come by and talk.”
Valentine’s bouquets
Last week the judge ruled that the strikes are allowed. KLM Cargo had asked the judge to ban the work stoppage, but he sees no reason for this. The judge did rule that Valentine’s Day bouquets should not be affected by the strikes. “No, that Valentine’s rose is indeed on time,” Pikaart from the trade union (AVV) said about the judge’s choice. “Apparently that is of great social importance.”
According to Michel van Schie of the Royal FloraHolland flower and plant auction, there was never a question of flowers not being delivered. “Flowers are transported via Schiphol less and less often. Nowadays, flowers from abroad are increasingly arriving via other airports such as Brussels,” he says.
To flee
The strikes have no effect on regular flights, so passengers flying via Schiphol do not have to fear that their flight will suddenly be canceled. KLM has had to delay or cancel several cargo flights, but says it is trying to limit the damage and inconvenience to customers and staff.