AVIATION INDUSTRY

KLM pilots want labor agreement by Aug. 17

Air France-KLM reports 1H net loss on strikes, fuel costs
Pilots at Dutch carrier KLM have given the airline until Aug. 17 to agree a new collective labor agreement (CLA) or face industrial action.

KLM’s previous pilot CLA expired in January 2018, eight months ago. Talks over a replacement deal have been underway for months, but while a breakthrough seemed likely in May, no agreement has been reached.

“We have sent a final proposal to them. They need to agree to the proposal by Friday [Aug. 17]. If they do, we have a deal. If not, we have a problem,” a VNV pilots’ union spokesman told ATW.

According to both KLM and the union, the sticking point is work pressure and work-life balance.

The VNV spokesman said KLM is offering to reduce pilot workload from September 2019, but the union is refusing to accept this timeline.

“Our members say this is a great deal; however, they want the reduction in workload to come sooner. This is really a deal-breaker,” the VNV spokesman said. “A strike could be a possible outcome, but we are confident KLM will agree, due to the fact it’s such a small technicality.”

The VNV spokesman declined to comment on the union’s preferred timeline for the workload reduction, as this has not been made public, but he said the change involves a 4% increase in days off. “The next step is hearing from KLM, whether they say yes or no,” he said.

“Regrettably, the negotiations are in a difficult phase,” KLM said.

KLM and VNV met Aug. 13 and both sides put forward proposals. A KLM spokesman confirmed to ATW that the airline has since received “an ultimatum” from VNV, calling for a response by Aug. 17…

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