RYANAIR STRIKE WILL GO AHEAD WARN IRISH PILOTS

RYANAIR’S Irish pilots have told the airline they are standing firm on their threat to strike next Thursday.

It comes as cabin crew in Portugal, Spain, Italy and Belgium voted in favour of action on July 25 and 26.

The Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association yesterday responded to the budget carrier’s message on Wednesday saying they should call off the strike and meet.

It claims there is “no evidence whatsoever” the company wants to engage in “meaningful negotiations” and added Ryanair’s failure to agree to a neutral meeting venue was an example of the firm’s “our way or no way” view.

The union outlined its previous attempts to engage with Ryanair and said it will be sticking by the strike unless 11 key issues are resolved.

The letter states: “In the view of our members, as reflected in the overwhelming majority who voted in favour of industrial action, your response falls far short of what is required to reach agreement.

“The response from members based on all of your letters is that it is once again an attempt by the management to avert a dispute but with absolutely no intention of negotiating on what are considered to be very reasonable requirements.

“As indicated in numerous previous letters, we are, and have always been, willing to meet you to discuss the issues.

“We have consistently suggested a neutral venue which we will pay for and it is beyond anyone’s understanding why you will not simply agree to this.” Ryanair pilots here are due to carry out the 24-hour stoppage from 1am next Thursday, causing travel chaos for thousands.

The airline called on union Forsa to call off or postpone the strike and meet to negotiate on outstanding issues. It added there “is no good reason” why pilots will not talk next week to avert the walkout. Ryanair’s Italian crew will hold a strike on July 25, while workers in Spain, Portugal and Belgium will walk out for 48 hours that day.

key issues must be dealt with in order for union to call off strike