Dublin-Based Ryanair Pilots To Strike On December 20th
Ryanair passengers are facing disruption this Christmas as a number of pilots confirm they plan to strike.
Members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association have told company management they will hold a one-day strike on Wednesday 20th December.
It's part of a row over collective bargaining and negotiating rights.
Irish-based directly-employed pilots, mostly captains, will withdraw their labour in an action that IMPACT says will either "disrupt flights or generate substantial costs to the airline".
Although the number of employees involved in the strike is fewer than the total number of Irish-based Ryanair pilots, the trade union believes the action will have impact because planes cannot legally or safely fly without a captain.
IMPACT official Ashley Connolly said "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 union says it has made repeated attempts to open discussions with airline management in recent months.
In a statement this afternoon, Ryanair said it "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."
Labour's Transport Spokesperson, Senator Kevin Humphreys, has urged all sides in the Ryanair dispute to hold talks.
“Many people will have flights booked to come home or travel abroad for Christmas and a strike by pilots could cause major travel disruption", he said.
“It is clear from the result of the ballot that the pilots feel their concerns are not being heard, and normal industrial relations practice should be observed."