Ryanair’s Dublin-based pilots vote in favour of industrial action

Update – Latest statement from Ryanair:

“Less than 28% of Ryanair’s Dublin (over 300) pilots have voted in favour of unspecified industrial action.

“Ryanair has received no notification of any industrial action by its Dublin pilots so we suspect this is more PR activity by Aer Lingus pilots group IALPA, to distract from their failure in negotiating a paltry 3% pay increase for Aer Lingus pilots.

Now that Ryanair’s Cork, Shannon and Belfast bases have agreed 20% pay increases we expect the Dublin pilots to follow this trend. However, if Ryanair’s Dublin pilots are misled by some Aer Lingus pilots into industrial action then they will lose their favourable rosters (5on/4off, a double bank holiday every week) and remuneration benefits that are specifically linked by agreement to dealing directly with Ryanair. 

This might be the first time in Irish history that a few Aer Lingus pilots persuade Ryanair pilots earning between €150,000 to €180,000 p.a. to take up industrial action instead of a 20% pay increase when Aer Lingus pilots are only getting 3%.

If any such industrial action occurs Ryanair will still not engage with, or recognise, Aer Lingus pilots or their IALPA union”.

Earlier: 

Ryanair's Dublin-based pilots have voted  to back industrial action in a ballot carried out this afternoon.

The move comes amid a dispute over pay and conditions as well as collective bargaining and negotiating rights.

According to RTÉ, pilots believe that the company's collective bargaining structures weaken the negotiating powers of employees.

It was also reported that pilots at bases in Dublin, London Stansted and Madrid have rejected proposals from management around pay and conditions.

It's understood that Ryanair has ordered an emergency meeting for its Dublin staff at the Swords headquarters.

However, in a statement this evening, the airline said it had not received any notification of industrial action.

It read: “Ryanair has received no notification of any industrial action by its Dublin pilots so we suspect this is more PR activity by Aer Lingus pilots group IALPA, to distract from their failure in negotiating a paltry 3% pay increase for Aer Lingus pilots.”

"Now that Ryanair’s Cork, Shannon and Belfast bases have agreed 20% pay increases we expect the Dublin pilots to follow this trend. However, if Ryanair’s Dublin pilots are misled by some Aer Lingus pilots into industrial action then they will lose their favourable rosters (5on/4off, a double bank holiday every week) and remuneration benefits that are specifically linked by agreement to dealing directly with Ryanair."

"This might be the first time in Irish history that a few Aer Lingus pilots persuade Ryanair pilots earning between €150,000 to €180,000 p.a. to take up industrial action instead of a 20% pay increase when Aer Lingus pilots are only getting 3%."

“If any such industrial action occurs Ryanair will still not engage with, or recognise, Aer Lingus pilots or their IALPA union.”

It is not yet know whether or not upcoming flight schedules will be affected.