Ryanair strike likely as positions harden
THE planned strike action by Ryanair pilots looks increasingly likely, with both sides hardening their positions.
The 24-hour strike action of the airline’s Irish-based pilots is due to start at 1am on Thursday, with the prospect of future strikes also affecting holidaymakers.
Sides unable to even agree location for talks
The sides have been unable to even agree on a location for talks, with Ryanair refusing to hold meetings in a neutral venue.
It is unclear how many flights will be grounded or how Ryanair will cover the shortfall during the action, which has been called over pilot seniority. The pilots are seeking an agreement on base transfers, promotion, annual leave and other issues governed by length of service. A spokesman for Fórsa, the union representing the pilots, said the ‘assumption is that this strike action will go ahead’.
Earlier this week Ryanair issued a statement insisting there was no mandate for the pilots to strike. It claimed that ‘just 94 of Ryanair’s 350 pilots’ supported the strike – a point disputed by Fórsa: ‘We only balloted pilots directly employed by Ryanair. There are between 100-120 and 99% of them voted in favour.’ Ryanair has some 300 pilots flying from its Dublin base, with around one third directly employed by the airline and the rest on contracts. Strike action has spread to other European countries, with Italian cabin crew set to hold a 24-hour strike on July 24, and cabin crew in Spain, Belgium and Portugal holding a 48-hour strike on July 25-26. A similar action by Dublin pilots was suspended in December when Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary agreed to recognise pilots’ unions.
When asked to comment, Ryanair directed this newspaper to its statement calling on the union to attend talks and call off the strike.