BALPA ‘pleased’ at ‘minimal impact’ of latest Ryanair strike
The pilots union BALPA has said it is pleased Monday’s walkout by members working for Ryanair has had minimal impact on travellers.
The pilots’ strike action, set to continue until 11.59 on Wednesday September 4, follows on from two previous days of strike action on August 22 and 23.
Ryanair has brought in contractors and foreign crews to run its operation.
In a statement, BALPA said: "The union is pleased this action has disrupted Ryanair while having minimal impact on the public, saying the dispute is not with them.
"BALPA has called on Ryanair to resolve this dispute at ACAS conciliation, something which the company has so far refused. They appear unwilling to give up control of any potential negotiations and all talks come with a long list of unhelpful and unacceptable stipulations."
BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton, said: "We hope this second round of walk-outs will signal the resolve of our members.
"Ryanair pilots simply want to bring about change in the company that will ensure its workforce are entitled to benefits that are seen across aviation in many other companies.
"We have not had the chance to ask for a specific percentage pay rise – despite reports of severely inflated pay demands."
As well as pay, pilots are calling for a consistent and transparent pay structure, adequate pension provision, loss of licence insurance and more appropriate maternity benefits.
So far Ryanair has made no offer, BALPA claims.
Ryanair stated: "All Ryanair flights to/from UK airports on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th Sept will operate as scheduled thanks to the efforts of over 95 per cent of our UK pilots who have confirmed that they will work their rosters, and will not support this failed third BALPA strike action.
"We do not expect any pilot strike disruptions to our schedule to/from our UK airports on Monday 2nd, Tuesday 3rd & Wednesday 4th September next."
They added: "On behalf of our customers and their families we wish to sincerely thank all our UK pilots who have not supported this BALPA strike, and have confirmed they will work as rostered to protect the flights and travel plans of our UK customers and their families over the first week of September."
Lisa
Lisa joined Travel Weekly nearly 25 years ago as technology reporter and then sailed around the world for a couple of years as cruise correspondent, before becoming deputy editor. Now freelance, Lisa writes for various print and web publications, edits Corporate Traveller’s client magazine, Gateway, and works on the acclaimed Remembering Wildlife series of photography books, which raise awareness of nature’s most at-risk species and helps to fund their protection.
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