Aer Lingus pilot ‘has interfered in Ryanair dispute’
New twist in row with cockpit crew
RYANAIR has claimed there is interference from an Aer Lingus pilot in the bitter industrial dispute with its own cockpit crews.
The row took a new twist yesterday when the budget airline called on Forsa to stop Captain Evan Cullen from getting involved in the negotiations.
But the trade union denied the claim saying the team which is in talks with Ryanair is made up solely of that airline’s pilots.
The claim comes just days after Ryanair issued letters of protective notice to more than 100 pilots and 200 cabin crew.
In a statement it said: “The reason Ireland is the only country where Ryanair hasn’t made progress on union recognition is because the process is being organised by an Aer Lingus pilot.
“Forsa are not in control, because they are deferring to an Aer Lingus pilot on issues that affect Ryanair pilots.
“It’s time Forsa removed the interference of this Aer Lingus pilot and got down to serious negotiations on behalf of Ryanair pilots with Ryanair.
“In other European countries, the unions have gone to great lengths to ensure competitor pilots are not involved in Ryanair’s union negotiations.
“In Ireland, Forsa have failed to remove Aer Lingus pilots from the process, which is like a Dunnes Stores manager negotiating
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with Tesco on behalf of Tesco workers. It simply wouldn’t happen, yet Forsa are allowing it with Ryanair.
“We respectfully disagree with Forsa’s denial any Aer Lingus pilots are involved in the industrial dispute at Ryanair.” Spokesman for the trade union Bernard Harbour said an independent mediator could help the two sides to make progress. He added: “Forsa’s negotiating team in talks with Ryanair is made up solely of Ryanair pilots – elected by their peers in the company – and full-time Forsa officials with no links to any airline or any other employer.
“The company is aware of this as its representatives met the union team on a number of occasions.
“The company has insisted no pilot from another airline should be involved in these negotiations.
“Forsa has accepted this, as we frequently do in similar negotiation situations with other companies.
“Ryanair’s claim of Aer Lingus ‘interference’ in the negotiations is an attempt to divert public attention from the fact the company has failed to respond to Forsa’s offer to attend negotiations and its declaration last Wednesday it will not consider a date for negotiations for at least another week.”
Forsa pilots are to stage another 24-hour strike next Friday.
Forsa must remove the interference & get down to serious negotiations RYANAIR STATEMENT
Captain Evan Cullen