Ryanair and the pilots' union

BALPA (British Airline Pilots' Association), has signed an agreement with Ryanair as the sole representative body for Ryanair employed pilots in the UK.

The agreement follows negotiations since Ryanair’s December announcement that it was willing to recognise unions for collective bargaining purposes.

This recognition of BALPA is significant because the UK accounts for almost one quarter of Ryanair’s 400+ current aircraft fleet and over 25% of Ryanair’s 4,200 strong pilot body.  It also marks the much more flexible management mood by Ryanair, the carrier prepared to do an ‘about turn’ where necessary to remain in front of the market place.  It now has a UK operator's licence through a subsidiary company and a much more relaxed attitude towards Brexit.
 
Brian Strutton, general secretary of BALPA, said:  “Given Ryanair’s previous hostility towards unions, today’s agreement is an historic one. While we were initially sceptical about Ryanair’s sincerity in offering recognition to us and other unions, our conversations and meetings with them have shown that they are genuine in wanting a constructive trade union relationship.

“Our discussions in getting to a recognition agreement have been tough and required compromise on both sides”.

www.ryanair.com

www.balpa.org.uk

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