Ryanair pilots announce further industrial action

Ryanair pilots have announced a fourth strike day at Dublin airport on August 3 whilst accusing the airline of escalating the dispute by threatening crew with redundancies.

The low-cost carrier said the ongoing strikes were behind its decision to cut its fleet at the Irish airport by at least 20% next winter.

It has issued protective notices to 300 of its staff, saying some might be made redundant or offered transfers to other bases.

The crew union Forsa described the move as a ‘provocative act’, and claimed it was likely to harden the pilots’ resolve.

In announcing a fourth strike, Forsa said Ryanair ‘had escalated the dispute while demonstrating management’s unwillingness or inability to negotiate with unions in good faith’.

It warned further strikes will follow unless the airline’s management changes tack and negotiates in good faith on the issue of base transfers and related matters.

In a statement, Forsa added: "Ryanair’s unnecessary decision to issue protective notice to 300 of its staff is reckless and unnecessary, and demonstrates management’s unwillingness and/or inability to implement the airline’s declared intention to agree working conditions with its staff by negotiating with their chosen trade union representatives.

"The move also belies recent Ryanair statements that industrial action by the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association has had no impact on the company’s operations.

"It is normal practice for airlines to reduce activity in the winter months. In light of this – and of Ryanair’s recent difficulty in recruiting and retaining enough pilots to fulfil its schedules – it remains unclear if this provocative move heralds a significant change in normal practice.

"However, the union sees the announcement as a provocative gesture which is likely to harden pilots’ resolve."

The union is pressing Ryanair to agree to independent third party mediation to settle the dispute.

Commenting on the announcement from Ryanair that it intends to reduce its Dublin based fleet by 20%, British Airline Pilots Association general secretary, Brian Strutton, said: "This announcement by Ryanair that they are moving work from Dublin to Poland is extremely regrettable.

"The accompanying job losses could look to Irish pilots and other people like a punishment for participation in strike action. This does not give a good impression and is likely further to inflame the situation when what should be happening is both sides getting around the negotiating table to work out a new collective labour agreement.

"BALPA is recognised for collective bargaining in the UK by Ryanair but we have not yet reached agreement on any industrial matters. We have submitted several proposals, including ones to bring an end to a fragmented pay structure, reduce the number of contract pilots and the acceptance of seniority. Ryanair has so far failed to accept and of these proposals."