Ryanair threatening to remove pilot perks over strikes, union claims
Striking Ryanair pilots have accused the airline of threatening to remove their perks if they take part in this month’s planned walkout.
Ryanair pilots who are members of the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) began their strike action yesterday, which is due to continue on 21, 23, 25, 27, and 29 September.
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Ryanair passengers have so far suffered minimal disruption from the strikes because the airline has been able to bring in pilots from its European bases.
In an update to passengers yesterday, Ryanair tweeted:
Balpa pilots are striking over issues such as pensions, licence insurance, maternity benefits and allowances.
The union claims that Ryanair has refused to meet it for talks at the conciliation service Acas.
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Balpa general secretary Brian Strutton said: “It takes an extraordinarily intransigent employer to refuse to take part in an entirely voluntary, non-binding Acas process from which each side can withdraw at any time. Given that neither side has anything to lose from Acas conciliation, what on earth is Ryanair frightened of?
“Instead of seeking to resolve the current impasse via negotiation, Ryanair seems hell bent on prolonging the dispute by threatening pilots with the removal of staff travel benefits and inflated and draconian deductions from salary.”
Ryanair has been contacted for comment.