Ryanair, Europe’s Cut-Price Behemoth, Agrees to Recognize Pilot Unions for First Time
The airline also maintained that it would acknowledge only representatives from Ryanair and
that it would not "engage with pilots who fly for competitor airlines in Ireland or elsewhere." Ryanair called for the unions to cancel any potential strikes.
One question that remained was whether Ryanair would negotiate only with directly employed pilots, or
whether it would be willing to discuss the conditions of contractor pilots and cabin crews as well.
Ryanair’s chief executive, Michael O’Leary, argued
that airline unions and competitors were trying to "demean and disparage our collective success." As the busy holiday travel season approached, pilots ultimately threatened to strike.
Andrew Charlton said that It’s an acknowledgment that the fundamental core of the business model has to change
and they’re going to have to start operating like a normal airline,
" Ms. Cocca said. that They are more frightened than pilots because they feel like numbers,
The carrier on Friday officially recognized pilot unions, a move that could cut into the company’s profit and prompt a broader industry shakeout.