Recognition
 deal for Ryanair pilots in UK


In a significant victory for the trade union movement, airline pilots’ union BALPA has signed a voluntary recognition agreement with the previously staunchly anti-union budget airline Ryanair.


Following the airline’s announcement in late 2017 that it would enter discussions with a number of unions in Europe, it has concluded its first deal with the UK union, which accounts for about a quarter of its pilots.


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.” But he added that “our discussions in getting to a recognition agreement have been tough and required compromise on both sides”.


The union is now conducting elections for five Ryanair Company Council representatives from among employed pilots. There will also be elections for an advisory group for contractor pilots who are not directly employed.

http://blog.balpa.org/Blog/February-2018/Ryanair-Recognition-The-Inside-Story