Ryanair pilots in pay deal

Pilots union BALPA has announced that its members employed by Ryanair in the UK have voted overwhelmingly to accept temporary pay cuts to save jobs that were under threat.

The vote was 96% to accept the plan.

In May Ryanair had announced that 330 pilot jobs were at risk in the UK including 70 from four potential base closures (Leeds Bradford, Prestwick, Bournemouth and Southend).

Following intensive negotiations between BALPA and Ryanair a package of cost savings was put together. Pilots have agreed to accept a 20% pay reduction in order to save 260 of the jobs that were at risk, with most of the rest linked to the possible base closures which is still to be resolved. 

Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said: “This is a terrible time for aviation and for employees in all airlines.

“It was our members’ mandate for us to save as many jobs as possible. In the circumstances this is the right thing to do even if it means accepting difficult temporary reductions in pay.”

Ryanair’s CEO Eddie Wilson confirmed the arrangement: “We welcome this week’s result that 96% of BALPA members have voted in favour of a four-year agreement on 20% pay cuts and productivity improvements on rosters and flexible working patterns to save the maximum number of UK pilot jobs.

“The strength of this vote demonstrates the commitment from our pilots in the UK to work with Ryanair as we work our way through this crisis over the next number of years.”

www.ryanair.com

Index/Home page
 

OUR READERS' FINEST WORDS (All times and dates are GMT)

All comments are filtered to exclude any excesses but the Editor does not have to agree with what is being said. 100 words maximum