Talks start over Ryanair strikes

Talks via a mediator are scheduled for today, Monday, with the Irish pilots union as Ryanair attempts to get a grip on growing industrial unrest. The airline endured its worst one-day strike on Friday after a walk-out by pilots in five European countries.

The action disrupted the plans of an estimated 55,000 travellers. In all, the airline cancelled 250 flights in and out of Germany, 104 to and from Belgium and another 42 affecting Sweden and Ireland – about one-sixth of its schedule.

Ryanair averted trouble before last Christmas by agreeing to recognise unions for the first time in its 30-year history. But it has been unable to quell rising protests over slow progress in negotiating collective labour agreements.

Ryanair said it expected 42,000 travellers to be hit by the action in Germany alone, and added it had arranged for most to be switched to other Ryanair flights and the rest refunded or rerouted.

Friday’s strikes were called by the Association of Dutch Pilots (VNV), which said 99.5% of its members backed the action, and Vereinigung Cockpit (VC), the German pilots' union, which said 96% of Ryanair pilots had voted in favour.

VC said in a statement: "If the signal given by this vote is not taken seriously, then strikes are inevitable."

www.ryanair.com

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