Pilots criticised for ‘callous’ Ryanair strike

A STRIKE by Ryanair pilots was condemned as ‘callous’ and ‘unfair’ by Transport Secretary Grant Shapps last night.

Pilots earning up to £180,000 are set to strike for five days in a dispute over pay and benefits – even though fewer than three in ten Ryanair pilots back industrial action.

The first walkout is scheduled for August 22 and August 23, followed by a three-day strike from September 2-4.

They have been orchestrated by the union Balpa, which is also planning a strike at BA. Mr Shapps said: ‘Ryanair flies thousands of British passengers every day. It is vital the airline and the pilots come to a resolution.’

Balpa has refused to say how many Ryanair pilots it represents. But Ryanair, which is planning to cut the number of its pilots, says just 350 – or 28 per cent of those it employs in the uK – backed the strike, and 44 per cent of Balpa’s members either voted against a walkout or did not vote at all.

Brian Strutton, of Balpa, said: ‘No pilot wants to spoil the public’s travel plans, but at the moment it seems we have no choice.’

THE contagion of strike action spreads to another airline, as Ryanair pilots from the Balpa union vote to come out over five days in the middle of the holiday period.

Only 28 per cent of UK-based Ryanair pilots back the strikes. What kind of mandate is that to ruin the holidays of millions of ordinary people, most earning a fraction of a pilot’s salary?

Whatever the merits of this row, deliberately timing strikes to cause maximum misery is cruel and unnecessary.