Ryanair said that negotiations with FORSA and its Ryanair Irish Pilots Council “are progressing slowly”.
Ryanair says that 65% of the airline’s Irish-based pilots have agreed to a pay increase of 20% that will kick in this month.
The airline said that the majority of its pilots in Ireland have voted to agree to the pay increases in secret ballots at the Cork and Shannon bases and that a majority of pilots in Dublin who are contractors or new joiners have also agreed to them.
Ryanair, who before Christmas agreed to recognise trade unions for the first time in the airline’s history, said it was “disappointed” that no such vote was organised among the remaining 35% of Dublin-based pilots, who will not receive the pay increase this month.
The airline claims that it had asked the remaining Dublin-based pilots to vote on the pay increase on or before 17 January so they could avail of the pay rise if they voted in favour.
Communication with the trade union FORSA and its Ryanair Irish Pilots Council will continue, Ryanair says, and the pay increase will be included in the February payroll if it is accepted.
The airline claims that the pay increase would take Ryanair pilots to 20% higher pay than Norwegian 737 pilots in Dublin, but that discussions with FORSA were “progressing slowly”.
Ryanair has also confirmed that all 15 of its UK pilot bases voted to the accept pay increase and that it would be effective as of this month despite the fact that recognition discussions with BALPA, the UK pilot union, are ongoing.
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