Ryanair must act to prevent pilots strike

Labour spokesperson on Transport Kevin Humphreys has called on Ryanair to take the concerns of pilots and the needs of passengers seriously following today’s ballot result of pilots who overwhelmingly voted in favor of strike action.

Senator Humphreys said:

“Ryanair need to get serious about their working conditions and do what is necessary to avoid a pilots strike. Pilots in Ryanair have spent years without union recognition and now that it is secured it is the responsibility of Ryanair to take seriously the requests of their workers.

“We are in the peak period of summer travel. If no resolution is reached with the Irish Airline Pilot Association thousands of customers will be discommoded this summer. Families have worked hard all year to save for and plan holidays this summer and now they could face huge uncertainty.

“What Ryanair pilots are asking for is commonplace in many airlines and is not unreasonable. Ryanair acknowledged unions for the first time in 2017 to avoid a Christmas strike. However, they must realise now that recognising them is not enough, they must now work with them to prevent massive disruption and to do right by their staff and customers.”