Ryanair pilots


Pilots at embattled budget airline operator Ryanair are making moves to unionise in the teeth of long-standing opposition from boss Michael O’Leary.


Ryanair “negotiates” with employees through multiple in-house “employee representative committees” (ERCs). This system was described by a newly-formed central committee of pilots as a “long-standing strategy of divide and conquer” in a letter circulated last month. 


The new committee aims to replace the ERCs with a “central structured body, ready to act as fully recognised negotiating partner for all contractual issues with Ryanair management”.


Many pilots are already members of unions, including the British Airline Pilots Association and the Irish Airline Pilots Association. But the company steadfastly refuses to deal with unions.


Meanwhile, a new air crew base at Heathrow airport established by Scandinavian airline SAS has agreed union recognition on a voluntary basis. The base, run by Irish company CAE, has reached agreement with two UK unions — BALPA for pilots and the Unite general union for cabin crew.

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/oct/02/ryanair-pilots-union-michael-o-leary

https://www.balpa.org/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/New-agreement-paves-way-for-union-recognition-in-a