Union urges Ryanair to attend talks to avert summer strikes
A trade union has urged Ryanair to attend talks to resolve the current dispute with its pilots over pay and working conditions.
The British Airline Pilots Association (Balpa), which has over 10,000 members, has called on the budget airline to attend talks with the Acas conciliation service after pilots voted for strike action for Thursday 22 August and 2 September.
Read more: Ryanair’s Irish pilots to strike next week as talks break down
Balpa recently held an industrial ballot of UK-based Ryanair pilots in which 80 per cent voted in favour of industrial action on a turnout of 72 per cent.
The dispute centres on issues such as pensions, loss of licence insurance, maternity benefit, allowances and pay structures at the airline, which Balpa claims have not been progressed by Ryanair.
If the dispute does not get resolved, Ryanair pilots will go on strike for 24 hours on 22 August and for 24 hours on 2 September.
Brian Strutton, Balpa general secretary, said: “Our members’ experience of trying to negotiate directly with Ryanair management has not been good. However, Balpa is offering to hold talks under the auspices of Acas to try to resolve this dispute and avoid the need for strike action. If Ryanair cares about its customers they should join us.”
Read more: British Airways loses court bid to stop pilot strikes over the summer
Ryanair has been approached for comment.
The union is also in discussions with British Airways over a pay dispute. It said that talks at Acas with the airline finished yesterday. No dates have been set for any possible strike action.
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