Ryanair reaches deal with Spanish pilots on pay cuts to save jobs

Ryanair announced that it had reached a pay-cut deal with its Spanish pilots amid the pandemic. The Irish airline, which has been negotiating with unions across Europe, says that the latest success shows commitment and cooperation on both sides. The same cannot be said for talks with Spanish cabin crew unions.

Negotiating pay during the pandemic is an awkward conversation to have. Yet, many airlines are doing it in the interest of saving money. Ryanair has been working out deals to avoid job losses for its staff for months. The carrier is offering its employees job security for the price of a four-year pay cut.

Earlier last week, Ryanair pilots in Spain agreed to the scheme with an overwhelming majority – 80% of pilots in the Spanish Union of Airline Pilots (Sepla) accepted the deal. They will now receive a 20% pay cut, which will be restored to full pay by 2024.

In addition to this alteration, the pilots will also receive other benefits to sweeten the deal. These come in the form of flexible working patterns, annual leave and improvements to work schedules.

Speaking in a recent press release, the CEO of Ryanair Eddie Wilson said: “We welcome today’s result that an overwhelming majority (80%) of Sepla members voted in favour of [the] four-year agreement. The strength of this vote demonstrates the commitment from our Spanish pilots to work with Ryanair as we work our way through this COVID-19 crisis over the next few years.”

However, despite success with its pilots’ union, Spain is still trying to negotiate a deal for its cabin crew. So far, Ryanair says that it has been impossible to negotiate a realistic outcome with the Airlines Cabin Crew Independent Union (SITCPLA) and the Spanish Trade Union (USO).