Irish Based Ryanair Pilots To Strike Less Than A Week Before Christmas

Shirleydonlon

Ryanair’s Dublin pilots, who are members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association, are to strike just five days before Christmas.

Impact trade union has just confirmed today that the planned industrial action will go ahead on Wednesday, December 20th for 24 hours.

According to The Irish Independent, the union said that Ireland-based, directly employed pilots – mostly captains – will stage the strike.

Last week, the airline stated that it would scrap promotions, halt transfer requests and go “head-to-head” on the issue by moving aircraft to other Irish airports if the staff went on strike.

Just under 28% of 300 Dublin pilots voted in favour of strike

Over the past week, the pilots voted in favour of the industrial action by a margin of 94 per cent.

Impact trade union official Ashley Connolly said: “This dispute is solely about winning independent representation for pilots in the company. Management’s failed negotiating model has let down shareholders and tens of thousands of passengers, whose flights were cancelled this year because company-controlled industrial relations proved incapable of recruiting and retaining enough pilots.”

“The failed policy threatens to further disappoint shareholders and passengers, and further damage the airline’s reputation, because experienced pilots continue to leave the airline in droves.”

She added: “This dispute is about securing a safe space for negotiations, with independent representation that pilots can have confidence in.”

Ryanair responded with a statement that said the pilots striking would likely “shortly leave Ryanair” and “don’t care how much upset they cause colleagues or customers.”

The airline added that “Ryanair will deal with any such disruptions if, or when they arise, and we apologise sincerely to customers for any upset or worry this threatened action by less than 28% of our Dublin pilots may cause them over the coming days.”

“Ryanair will not recognise an Aer Lingus pilot union, no matter how often or how long this tiny minority (earning between €150,000 to €190,000 p.a.) try to disrupt our flights or our customers plans during Christmas week.”