KLM has cancelled over 100 flights on Wednesday in connection with a strike by ground crew and says other services will be hit by delays.

Some 27,000 passengers will be duped by the strike but will be found alternative flights, a KLM spokesman told broadcaster NOS. Most affected flights are within Europe.

The strike action between 8 am and 10 am on Wednesday morning, was announced by unions FNV and CNV last week after KLM entered into a collective wage agreement with three smaller unions.

FNV said the wage increase does not go far enough, and no provision has been made for people doing physically heavy work, such as baggage handlers. The unions are also campaigning for more permanent contracts.

“Ground crew feel they are second-rate employees,” an FNV spokesman said.

Another strike stretching over four hours is also scheduled for Wednesday next week.