Security staff at Schiphol Airport are launching short work stoppages and deliberate slow-downs after airport authorities and contractor firms failed to meet union demands over heavy workloads.
The industrial action was announced on Wednesday by trade unions FNV and CNV following the expiry of a midday ultimatum. Travellers using the airport have been warned to expect longer queues at security checkpoints.
Union representatives said the planned disruptions will be announced only a few hours before they take place. Union leaders have not ruled out staging longer strikes if employers fail to address their grievances.
Dispute follows spring contractor restructuring
The conflict stems from an operational overhaul carried out in the spring, when Schiphol reduced the number of security companies managing hand-baggage checks from five to three.
That restructuring affected most of the approximately 5,000 security personnel working across the airport. Although employee pay levels were maintained under the new contracts, their working rosters, shift patterns, scheduled breaks, and annual leave arrangements were all altered.
Labour unions say the reorganization led directly to higher workloads and rising rates of sickness absence among remaining staff. They argue this has created a worsening cycle with fewer personnel left to manage passenger volumes.
CNV negotiator André Quist said that nobody wanted industrial action at the airport, but noted that employers left staff with no choice after failing to take concrete steps against the workload following the union ultimatum.
Union demands and separate cleaner strike
In July, labour representatives submitted a list of eight core demands to Schiphol and the three private security contractors: Securitas, I-SEC, and Trigion.
The requested changes include longer resting breaks, a guarantee of two consecutive rest days following five consecutive working days, and a formal heat protocol for airport terminal buildings.
Unions are also demanding a requirement for at least two female guards on every security lane so female travellers can be searched properly. Under the proposal, a screening lane would be forced to close if only one female officer is available.
Schiphol management stated that it regretted the labour action and said it was taking employee concerns seriously.
The airport stated that it and the three contractor firms are currently working on operational improvements covering five of the eight union demands, and promised efforts to limit disruptions for passengers.
The dispute comes alongside wider labour unrest at the transport hub. Around 350 airport cleaning workers staged a separate two-hour walkout around midday on Wednesday over sick-pay cuts in the national cleaning contract, demanding that Schiphol intervene with employers.
