The Dutch air cargo sector reaches a historic agreement that puts an end to the fragmented collective labor agreements within the industry.
From January 2025, all air cargo handling companies will work under one collective labour agreement for the sector, resulting in a wage increase of over 10% for thousands of employees. This breakthrough, achieved through intensive negotiations between the Employers' Association for Air Cargo Handling (WLVA) and the FNV trade union, promises to make the sector more future-proof and offers employees more stability and uniform employment conditions.
Michel van de Stolpe, chairman of the WLVA, calls the new collective labor agreement “a milestone for the air freight sector.” Van de Stolpe emphasizes the importance of this collective agreement, which focused on good employment conditions and a sustainable future perspective for employees. “This is a breakthrough for our sector. We have all put the importance of good employment conditions and a sustainable future perspective for our employees first. Collective agreements require cooperation and sometimes concessions. With this collective labor agreement, we have shown what is possible when the sector works together. We are incredibly proud of that,” says Van de Stolpe.
With the introduction of a sector-wide collective labour agreement, the opportunity for air cargo handling companies to compete on employment conditions will disappear. Previously, companies such as Menzies World Cargo, Swissport, dnata and Worldwide Flight Services had their own collective labour agreements, which led to differences in working conditions and pay. This will change from 2025: all employees in the sector will receive a minimum 6% pay rise in 2025, followed by a further 4,5% in 2026.
labor conflicts
Van de Stolpe explains that the joint collective labor agreement makes the air freight sector stronger and less vulnerable to labor disputes. “With this sector collective labor agreement, we are taking a huge step forward. Thanks to these agreements, companies can no longer compete on employment conditions. This makes our sector stronger and more future-proof. Moreover, it offers our employees security and real growth opportunities.” This security and uniformity ensure that the air freight sector becomes more attractive to employees, and according to those involved, this is necessary to guarantee the quality of the service in the future.
According to sources within the sector, the road to the agreement was anything but easy. Both employers and the union represented divergent interests, but a common goal was ultimately found in the desire to structurally strengthen the sector. The negotiators had to make concessions in order to reach a broadly supported agreement. The sector collective labour agreement represents an important step forward for employees, who can count on a more level playing field within the air freight sector thanks to the uniform agreements.
The trade union involved, FNV, emphasises that the collective labour agreement contributes to the stability of the sector and provides a solid basis for further development of working conditions. The union members will be able to vote on the agreement in the coming period.
The collective labour agreement is seen as a major step in the professionalisation of the air freight sector, which has faced various challenges in recent years. Due to increasing competition, price pressure and the high demands placed on air freight handling, there was a need for a solution that would offer the sector long-term stability. With the new collective labour agreement, that solution seems to have been found. In addition to the wage increases and uniform employment conditions, the sector collective labour agreement also offers room for further professionalisation and innovation within the air freight companies.
sector collective labor agreement
The introduction of the sector collective agreement comes at a crucial time, as the sector worldwide is recovering from the effects of the corona pandemic and is facing rising logistics costs. The joint agreements give employees the opportunity to grow financially, which should also promote the inflow of new workers. A number of sources within the sector indicate that the collective agreement also sends a signal to other European air freight markets, where possibilities for more uniform employment agreements are also being examined.
The new collective labor agreement for air cargo handling is seen as a milestone in the sector, focusing on fair and strong employment conditions that benefit both companies and employees. For employees at the major air cargo companies, the agreement not only means an improvement in current employment conditions, but also more clarity and certainty for the future.
If the union members approve, this sectoral collective labor agreement will officially come into effect from January 2025. For the air freight sector, this marks a new era in which job security, good working conditions and cooperation are central.
