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The
pilots' refusal to agree to the government's terms this weekend
jeopardised the planned 3.4 billion euro ($4 billion)bail out
needed to help KLM cope with the fallout from the coronavirus
pandemic.
"We want to talk to KLM and the Finance ministry to find a
solution as soon as possible", pilot union VNV chairman Willem
Schmid told Dutch radio station BNR on Monday.
KLM did not comment on Schmid's remarks, while the Finance
ministry has said it will only talk to the airline's board and
not to individual unions.
The pilot union had earlier agreed to wage cuts for the period
until March 2022, but the government on Friday demanded an
immediate guarantee that wages would be frozen for at least
three years after this period.
"This demand came out of nowhere", Schmid said. "We want to know
what we are asked to sign for."
KLM's works council on Monday called on all parties to reach an
agreement.
"You simply cannot let this issue endanger the future of the
company", works council head Dario Fucci told Reuters.
"That's not an acceptable outcome, not for the trade unions, not
for the company and not for the government."
Most unions representing ground and cabin crews have agreed to
the extended wage freeze, which is set to last as long as the
airline receives government support.
The FNV union for ground and cabin crews however declined to
agree to the stricter terms this weekend as it waited for the
piots to move.
(Reporting by Bart Meijer; Editing by Kirsten Donovan)
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