Pilots score major recognition victory in battle with Ryanair

Pilots working for low-cost airline Ryanair have scored a major victory by reaching a voluntary recognition agreement with the company — the first in its 33-year life. 


Following the airline’s announcement last December that it wanted to talk to unions in six European countries, things moved quickly to the point where the first deal — with UK pilots’ union BALPA — was signed at the end of January. 


The company was previously known to be staunchly anti-union. But it was faced with Christmas strikes, as well as other industrial relations problems. BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton said: “While we were initially sceptical … our conversations and meetings with them have shown that they are genuine in wanting a constructive trade union relationship.”


BALPA will now conduct collective bargaining on behalf of some 600 directly-employed UK Ryanair pilots — around a quarter of the airline’s total — on issues such as pay, hours, rostering and holidays. 


It is currently conducting elections for five representatives for the Ryanair company council, and there will also be an elected advisory group for contractor pilots who are not directly employed.


Strutton said: “I am hopeful that this is the beginning of a strong and mutually beneficial relationship between BALPA and Ryanair and I urge Ryanair to agree deals with pilot unions in other countries and with cabin crew unions.”

https://www.balpa.org/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/BALPA-signs-union-recognition-agreement-with-Ryana

www.independent.co.uk/travel/news-and-advice/ryanair-balpa-pilots-union-recognition-crew-staff-shortage-cancelled-flights-a8184511.html