Ryanair claims new pay deal pushes pilots’ salaries above rival low-cost carriers
Ryanair claims that pilots at all 15 of its UK bases have voted in a secret ballot to accept a new pay offer.
The airline said pilots at Stansted, who had previously rejected the pay offer, were included in the ballot.
A pay rise of ‘up to’ 20% will be included in this month’s payroll, said Ryanair.
The airline claimed the pay rises meant Ryanair pilots would receive 20% more than those flying 737s for Norwegian and Jet2.
Ryanair is continuing its recognition discussions with BALPA, the UK pilot union, but has agreed that the pay increases should not be delayed by these negotiations.
"Ryanair and BALPA agreed to offer these pay increases to the six out of 15 UK bases (including Stansted) which had not previously accepted them," it said.
"The majority of Ryanair’s pilots in Ireland have already agreed to these pay increases, voting in secret ballot at the Cork and Shannon bases, and a majority of pilots in Dublin who are contractors or new joiners have already agreed them.
"Ryanair had asked the remaining Dublin pilots to vote on this large pay increase on or before January 17 so that they could be paid in next week’s January payroll.
"Ryanair is disappointed that no such vote was organised among the remaining 35% of Dublin pilots who will now not receive this pay increase in the January payroll."
Ryanair is continuing to negotiate with FORSA and its Ryanair Irish Pilots Council, but said these discussions are progressing slowly.
"Ryanair will continue to communicate with the 35% of Dublin pilots who have yet to accept this substantial pay increase which, if accepted, can be included in the February payroll and will take them to 20% higher pay than Norwegian 737 pilots in Dublin," it said.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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