https://www.pilots-unite.com/stansted-says-no/
Stansted says NO!!!October 20, 2017
Major action was taken today when the Stansted pilot body voted to reject the pay deal offered by Ryanair management in a 60% to 40% majority. Citing the refusal of management to enter negotiations with the pilots and the lack of guarantees for the terms offered, the largest pilot group in the Ryanair network has denied the chance for Ryanair management to ram a bad deal down the throats of the pilot body. Well done and congratulations to all of Stansted pilots who have taken the brave step to take back the terms of their own futures and in so doing has cleared away for other, more vulnerable bases to do the same! You make us proud!
So what are the next steps? Above all else, stay united and focused! We have a long way to go but look at what we have achieved in this short space of time. This is proof we are stronger together!
The ECJ ruled against Ryanair’s application of the law.
The Chief Operating Officer has lost his job.
Despite denying theres a Pilot shortage Ryanair are desperately contacting people individually on LinkedIn and other social media begging people to come back or join.
Michael O’Leary publicly and privately apologised to his staff and agreed for the first time that salaries were on the low side.
Italy has announced the start of strike action.
The Spanish cabin crew have formed a union.
The company initially made a quick offer of a few thousand euro on a “take it or leave it” basis. The arrogant, dismissive stance changed to an offer for a pilots to reach out to them to discuss issues. When pilots were not reaching out to them, they started phoning bases to arrange meetings. When pilots were not jumping at the chance to meet with Ryanair after learning there was no room for real, binding negotiations, management started phoning bases to bring offers to pilots.
Some management language is starting to shift to “what would we need to change in the offer to make you accept it?” with non-binding promises of base change transparency and other improvements to conditions.
While this is a marked shift in management’s attitude, there has been no guarantees of any binding changes to pilot contracts and without that, all of their talk means nothing, however, it is clear we are forcing change! It is clear that we can get to the negotiating tables for real change. Things are going to get more contentious now that management has fallen at their largest base! We need to stay focuses, strong, dedicated, UNITED!
Thank you Madrid! Thank you Stansted! We continue the battle!