End to Ryanair disruption

Following two days of exhaustive talks in Madrid between USO and SITCPLA, the two cabin crew unions and Ryanair – mediated by the Ministry of Labour, an agreement was finally reached at 04.00 on Wednesday morning.

However, it was not simply the result of this one marathon 18-hour session.

Over the last year, 11 such meetings have taken place in Madrid between union representatives and the Irish carrier and industrial action by Spanish cabin crew was planned once again this week if an agreement had not been successfully worked out.

The last wave of industrial action took place in July 2018 and disrupted the holiday plans of thousands of travellers. One of the many issues on the agenda was contracts and the application of Spanish legislation for crew employed by one of two third party agencies on Ryanair’s behalf.

Despite living and working in Spain they were issued with Irish contracts, making it impossible for them to get a mortgage or bank loan.

Full details will not be made public until workers have had a chance to read and digest all the points and vote, which will take place next week.

Speaking exclusively to CBN, Ester Peyró from USO was cautiously optimistic that it will be accepted and that in essence, Ryanair had agreed to the demands of the unions representing Spanish cabin crew.

So assuming Brexit does not thwart air travel after March 29, you can safely book your Ryanair flights with little risk of potential strikes.