FlightDetent,
Historically, Ryanair contracts have been 5/3 with the 5/4 agreed as part of "Base Agreements". The threat of removal of 5/4 was what drove down the Ts & Cs as the pilot body in it's purposely divided nature would give up some amount of conditions to keep the 5/4 rather than fight for it and the removed conditions, potentially very much alone. I believe the 5/4 roster is now in the various CLAs agreed and whether it's removal can still be used in the same way will depend on local laws, which we'll find out the strength of when each comes up for renewal in a couple of years.