Ryanair pilots accept pay cuts to save jobs
Ryanair pilots have accepted temporary pay cuts to save their jobs.
Their union BALPA said they had voted 96% in favour of the 20% reduction.
The airline announced in May that 330 pilot jobs were at risk, including 70 from the potential closure of its bases at Leeds Bradford, Prestwick, Bournemouth and Southend.
BALPA said a package of costs savings had been put together ‘following intensive negotiations’ with Ryanair.
As a result, 260 jobs have been saved. BALPA said most of the rest are linked to the possible base closures, a matter which is still to be resolved.
The pilots’ pay will be restored to 100% within four years, it said.
BALPA general secretary Brian Strutton added: "This is a terrible time for aviation and for employees in all airlines.
"It was our members’ mandate for us to save as many jobs as possible. In the circumstances this is the right thing to do even if it means accepting difficult temporary reductions in pay.
"We do not relish accepting pay cuts and this is going to be tough for many of our pilot members. But we are at least pleased to have ensured that the overwhelming number of pilots whose jobs were at risk will continue to be employed."
EasyJet confirmed yesterday that it is planning to make 2,000 staff redundant, including 727 pilots. BALPA said this represented almost a third of the airline’s flight crew.
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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