KLM ground crew will stage their third strike on Wednesday afternoon, leading to both delays and cancellations.

The strike will take place from 13.00 to 17.00 and KLM has scrapped 12 European flights as a precaution. Delays are also likely, the airline said.

Talks last week between the unions and employers failed to reach an agreement. The union’s demands include an 4% pay rise per year, more full-time contracts and a more regular shift rota. KLM had offered a 6% rise over three years but increased that to 2.54% a year, the FNV said.

‘KLM only wants to take on people who work 75% of a normal working week,’ the union said in a statement. ‘But the rosters make it impossible for them to get another job at the same time. So these workers are stuck with low incomes, even though they have the most intensive jobs.’