Tag: Ryanair

The Irish Aviation Authority is meant to keep air travel safe and protect customers rights, in line with best standards. So you’d expect the top job to be awarded to someone who has worked in an environment of very high standards. Would you believe they gave the job to an ex RYANAIR BOSS? He headed up the Ryanair operation in Malta, before getting his new job as IAA supremo. Talk about the fox being put in charge of the hen-house….! Maybe they’ll put Denis O Brien in charge of Irish Water next?

 

I raised concerns about the aviation industry in the Dáil today, in the context of an amendment to proposed policy changes concerning the industry. FOR SHEER BRASS NECK, AVIATION BOSSES TAKE THE CAKE! Both Aer Lingus and Ryanair workers have been treated disgracefully by management who have taken the opportunity the Covid crisis presented, to sack union activists, slash working conditions and generally put the boot into staff. And all the while, demanding increased state aid to the industry and challenging public health measures. They rail against policies that acknowledge the to tackle #ClimateChange, and in the midst of it all, the Irish Govt make a former Ryanair boss, CEO of the Irish Aviation Authority. Former poacher turned game-keeper? I don’t think so.

I was in a special Dáil committee during the week on the aviation industry. Representatives of both Ryanair and Aer Lingus appeared before the committee. They want state aid, and produced lots of figures to back up their claim. However, they left out the figures for profits they made over recent years, that run into €Billions. And disgustingly, Ryanair are taking 11 pilots to court for ORGANISING A UNION BALLOT, going after them personally for €13.5 million!! I believe in supporting airline workers, not the shareholders and CEOs of the companies that employ them.

Prese Release   No Embargo;

“Ryanair sackings are attempt intimidate staff in union dispute“

TD claims Spanish dismissals show Ryanair contempt for its workers.
 
“Bully boy tactics will not defeat Ryanair workers” says Brid Smith TD.
The dismissal of four cabin crew at Ryanair in Spain has been slammed by Brid Smith TD as another example of the real intent of Ryanair’s management in the ongoing dispute with its workforce.
Deputy Smith rejected the company’s justification of the sackings and said fatigue and overworking are real issues at the  airline and workers should have a legal entitlement to refuse to operate outside the hours they are contracted to work.
“These sackings highlight the core issues at the heart of the pilots dispute; its about workers having some security and control over the hours and shifts they work; its a basic trade union issue and this fits a pattern where Ryanair attempt to browbeat and bully its workers”Read more »

VICTORY TO THE RYANAIR STRIKERS! Great to see the strikers meet at ALSAA and picket the roundabout at Dublin Airport. Their victory will be important to all workers, skilled and unskilled, who come up against the greed of their millionaire bosses.

 

 

Michael O Leary is the poster boy for the Irish rich. He said things they dared not say. Above all, they loved his refusal to recognise unions for thirty two years.
But their big hero has been broken. Co-ordinated strike action by pilots across national borders has brought O Leary to his knees.
Being a pilot is regarded as a high status job. Many would even regard them as ‘middle class’ and not the sort of people who join unions.Read more »

Press Release- Bríd Smith TD, People Before Profit 15/12/2017

Brid Smith says O’Leary statement has boosted workers confidence but fight for full union rights still goes on

People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith, has said she is delighted that Ryanair, who she described as a “notorious anti-union employer”, has said it would be prepared to recognise trade unions.

The move is historic and clearly an attempt to avert strike action that was planned next week by pilots and was gathering huge support among all Ryanair workers.

But the TD warned that given its history of anti-worker and anti-union actions the detail of its commitment to recognise trade unions had to be examined.Read more »

“Bullying, blackmail and threats will not stop campaign for the right to union recognition,” says Brid Smith  TD

People Before Profit TD, Brid Smith, has said that a letter sent by Ryanair to pilots in Bergamo Italy should be condemned by the Irish Government and the Minister for Transport Shane Ross.

Deputy Smith said the letter was the worst example of intimidation and bullying by an employer she had seen in 30 years of trade union activity.Read more »