Article from BTNews 12 AUGUST 2019
Ryanair pilots in strike talks
Industrial unrest which is threatening British Airways (see this issue), could spread to Ryanair in Ireland later this month after a pilots’ union there warned of a lack of progress in talks over a pay and working conditions claim.
The fórsa union, of which the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) is part, said on Friday it would write to Ryanair giving notice of industrial action unless the airline agreed to its pay proposals by today (Monday).
The union has to give at least a week’s notice of industrial action. The move comes as Ryanair crews from both the UK and Spain are also contemplating strike action at the height of the European summer travel season.
Ryanair hit back saying fewer than 25% of its Irish pilots were IALPA members, while Fórsa said around 180 of Ryanair’s directly employed pilots were IALPA members and 94% of those who had taken part in the ballot had voted to strike.
The union said it submitted a claim to the airline in March seeking pay levels and structures “in line with sector norms”. It note Ryanair posted profits of €1bn in 2018, was in a “healthy financial position” and could “fairly reward its pilots”.
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