KLM ground crew plan to go on strike on Thursday evening in the latest stage of a long-running dispute over pay and working conditions.

A spokesman for the airline said it is unclear whether flights will be affected. ‘We will do all we can to minimise disruption to passengers,’ the spokesman said.

On Tuesday KLM rejected a union ultimatum. The ground crew are campaigning for more pay, more permanent jobs for temporary staff and to keep extra holidays for older staff. The dispute affects some 14,500 workers.

The strike comes as KLM reported second quarter net profit of €41m, after making a €79m loss in the year earlier period.