Low-Cost Euro Carrier Pilot Group Publishes First Salvo in Battle for Improved Working Conditions

The Ryanair Transnational Pilot Group (RTPG) has published a request on behalf of the European ULCC's working aviators, calling for the company to “share the unprecedented economic success of the airline with its workforce”.

The move follows a series of successful contract negotiations stateside, where pilots have snatched one victory after another in their efforts to stay ahead of the inflation curve and maintain as much purchasing power as possible. Ryanair pilots have sensed the change in the air, coming together last March and convening Ryanair Company Councils to improve the state of their careers. In meetings with the myriad groups of Ryanair pilots - most broken down by nationality across the EU - the RTPG found plenty of common ground: "Direct, permanent employment contracts , transparent career opportunities, and collective representation for all Ryanair pilots regardless of base."

The RTPG, backed by the European Cockpit Association (ECA), shared a letter via its social media, firing the first salvo in a battle for better working conditions. The letter was posted as a series of images on the RTPG Twitter account, and is presented here in its entirety.

"In recent months we have seen prices increase in a way we have never seen before. The aviation sector is no stranger to this and all airlines, including Ryanair, have increased their ticket prices. As a result of these increases, the results have increased over the initial outlook. This year is again going to be a record year for Ryanair. In this climate of new market demands for airlines, where demand far exceeds available capacity, many companies have increased their pilots' salaries or updated them in line with the CPI, thus maintaining the purchasing power of workers, in an exercise of responsibility, also aware of the sacrifice made by their workers during the pandemic years."

"We would like to refer to the latest annual balance sheet presented by the company, pointing out the increase, not only in profits, but also in the number of passengers and occupancy, which inevitably makes us a more useful and also more effective tool for the company's profitability. Therefore, we believe that by sharing this increase in workload this benefit should also be equitable and therefore be compensated with the real engine of the company, its workforce. We also believe that it is in the best interest of the company to be the most attractive in Europe in economic terms and in the ability of these pilots to feel valued in order to strengthen their bond with the company."

"There is a general clamor from the pilots' collective that it is time to remember the sacrifices that this collective has made during one of the most critical times that aviation has experienced and that to a large extent have contributed to our company not only having reversed this difficult situation but also having been able to report such excellent results. We would also like to remind you that our salaries are at the same pre-pandemic levels but in the face of unprecedented inflation in recent years. We believe that it is time for the company to show the same loyalty and responsibility that the pilots' collective showed to the company, making them in some way part of Ryanair's success and motivating them for the summer campaign, in which an unprecedented activity is also expected and in which pilots will be eager to respond to the company's needs in order to continue growing together."

"Benefits Specialist" Ryanair, as market leader, is also aware of this new scenario and seeks with it to get closer to its competitors. As company councils we appreciate this move by the company and as always for more than 5 years, we will be happy to work together to reach new economic agreements and benefits more than necessary for pilots and thus align Ryanair with the competition."

"As representatives of the pilots, we are certain that no one knows better than we do the needs and requirements of the pilots' collective. After the effort made by the collective during the pandemic with the 20% salary reduction plus the government support schemes further reductions, we firmly believe that Ryanair must compensate its most valuable asset not only for the irrecoverable economic loss during those two years, but also for the constant loss of purchasing power during these last years that at no time has been compensated by the company."

"As Eddie Wilson said "The industry is cyclical" so it must also be rewarding, Ryanair Group is now cashing in the upraise but still considers it proper to keep the pilots on a virtually flat line, possibly all the way to the next downturn this is not acceptable.

"We remain at your disposal to negotiate and seek improvements in terms and conditions in order to bring your pilots in line with the rest of their peers in the market."

FMI: www.ryanair.com