Schiphol airport security staff face union‑threatened action over workload

The Dutch unions CNV and FNV have warned they may organise collective action among security personnel at Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport. Their warning follows Schiphol's decision earlier this year to cut the number of security contractors from five to three, a move intended to tighten control over services but which unions say has worsened working conditions.

Union representatives Andre Quist (CNV) and Ilze Smit (FNV) criticised the airport for failing to provide concrete improvements. They demand effective break periods, sufficient recovery time between shifts, guaranteed leave, fair use of part‑time staff, a higher proportion of women on security lanes, a heat‑protocol, and rapid toilet relief within fifteen minutes. Schiphol acknowledges the problems but has not committed to the hard measures the unions seek. The unions are now considering further steps, including possible strikes, while the airport awaits a response.