Dutch flag carrier KLM and the country’s biggest trade union group FNV have agreed a pay deal for the airline’s 14,000 ground crew, heading off the risk of strike action.

The agreement, which still has to be approved by members, involves ‘more money’, more permanent jobs for staffing agency workers and ensures older workers will keep their extra days off until 2023, the FNV said.

‘KLM has ended its race to the bottom,’ the union said in a statement. ‘”There will be an end to the structural savings on the cost of personnel and the reduction in quality.’

The pay dispute between KLM and the FNV has rumbled on since the end of July. In August, KLM went to court to stop the union calling a strike. Judges imposed a moratorium on industrial action until September 5.

The four other air personnel unions voted in favour of KLM’s original offer.