Ryanair sends ‘veiled threat about job losses’ to pilots’ union as staff earning up to £180k confirm strike
RYANAIR sent a "veiled threat" to the UK pilots' union about potential job losses following the announcement that they would strike at the end of the month.
A statement was released by the low-cost airline in response to the British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) strike announced yesterday over a pay dispute.
The statement included a letter to BALPA's general secretary Brian Strutton from the
The letter stated: "At this difficult time for UK pilots facing base cuts and closures, BALPA should be working with Ryanair to save UK pilot jobs, not endanger them through ill-timed and ill-judged disruption of our customers’ travel plans, just 10 weeks before the threat of a no-deal Brexit."
Earlier this month, Ryanair announced that it could cut up to 900 jobs, including pilots and flight attendants, due to late delivery of Boeing Max jets.
The airline also added in the statement that they should "work together" to prepare for the "enforced series of base cuts and closures", as well as a No Deal Brexit.
The "threat" follows the news that Ryanair pilots are to walk out over a pay dispute at the end of the month and in September.
Strikes will be held from 00.01am on August 22 until 11.59pm on August 23 and from 00.01am on September 2 until 11.59pm on September 4.
The announcement led to concerned Brits questioning whether their holiday plans would go ahead.
Ryanair pilots can earn up to £180,000 per year, following a 20 per cent pay rise last year.
The airline said that they already enjoy favourable pay and conditions, "which is why pilot turnover has fallen to zero in recent months".
Brian Strutton, BALPA General Secretary, said: "We have had no formal offer from Ryanair and it is imperative that we resolve this dispute urgently to avoid strike action.
"No pilot wants to spoil the public’s travel plans but at the moment it seems we have no choice."
Ryanair also apologised to passengers in their statement, saying: "We apologise sincerely to customers for any uncertainty that BALPA’s ballot may cause them.
"We hope BALPA will now work with Ryanair to minimise job losses instead of undertaking ill-judged and ill-timed industrial action."
In response to the statement, Ryanair added to Sun Online Travel: "As announced on 16th July due to the late delivery of up to 30 Boeing MAX aircraft this winter a number of Ryanair bases will be cut or closed this winter.
"These consultations are taking place with our people at affected bases currently. No routes will be affected as they will be served by flights from other bases from November when the winter schedule starts."
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Ryanair faced a series of strikes which affected thousands of passengers last summer.
Irish pilots walked out in July which lead to a number of cancelled flights.
Pilots across Europe including France, Spain and the Netherlands all joined the strike in August, leading to cancellations and delays.