Originally Posted by
SigWit
Firstly, something to keep in mind is the fact that workers have a lot of rights in the Netherlands. That may be the reason that some of the rulings may sound strange to foreigners.
One of the rights is the right to strike. For a judge the reason doesn't really matter, if a strike is a legal one the striking employees may not face ANY negative consequences.
(other then not getting paid for the days that they where striking). In this case no judge forbid the strike, so it is a legal one and whatever the demands were, it may not have negative consequences.
Big issue is also the fact that this is civil right. Unlike criminal law, it is way more lenient with proof. For example: The pilots claimed that the closure is due to the strikes. Ryanair claims it is due to economic reason but fails to prove so. Thus the judge rules that the closure is due to the strike (also based on letters send earlier by Ryanair stating that they will close the base if strikes occur, not so smart).
This is actually how the law works in The Netherlands, with a lot of protection for the workers, not so much for the companies. We will have to wait and see what happens when Ryanair declares those pilots redundant and goes to court. Your guess is as good as mine in that respect
An option that has not been considered here is Ryanair still pay their Eindhoven based people and ask them to turn up for work...................... however there is no work for them so they just sit around all day long. They required to be there as place of work where Ryanair control what is allowed in the crew room with a Ryanair staff manager in control.
Pilots will of course NOT be free to fly for someone else, they still get paid. After 2 years what is a pilot worth, who hasn't flown commerically in 2 years, no Sim time, in a standoff with their employer and are they "employable" elsewhere. Employers may have a different viewpoint.
EIN staff win but being in crew rooms daily where you know you will never fly will take its own toll on health and well being.
In Ryanair's case it can afford the financial cost because it would be sending a message to everywhere else but could the individuals ?