FYI....
News online
First step to victory for Ryanair pilots
3 February 2005
Irish pilots employed by low-cost anti-union airline Ryanair have won the first part of a court battle with the airline, securing a guaranteed investigation into their complaints against the company.
Ryanair pilots, supported by the Irish Airline Pilots Union (IALPA) - part of the Irish Municipal, Public and Civil Trade Union (IMPACT)- were complaining about victimisation after the company employed bullying tactics against them. These included being forced to pay 15,000 euros for training to fly new aircraft; if they refused, they faced the sack.
The Irish labour court, unconvinced that Ryanair’s employee representative committees constituted independent bargaining forums, highlighted “the need for new measures to afford additional support to employees where there are no arrangements for independent negotiation on pay and conditions.”
The court’s ruling on 25 January means that the IALPA/IMPACT claim that Ryanair pilots should be given a copy of their terms and conditions of employment may be given a hearing. The complaint regarding victimisation in the workplace may also now be heard by an Irish Rights’ Commissioner.
Ingo Marowsky, ITF Civil Aviation Secretary commented, “In its support for its IALPA division, IMPACT strives to provide employees in Ryanair with a collective voice as well as give them their pride back. This is a breakthrough for the Irish pilots, and we have congratulated the union wholeheartedly on behalf of our affiliates.”