Ryanair strikes latest: Unions warn of ‘summer of industrial action’ unless staff treatment improves

Cabin crew across Europe, as well as pilots in Ireland and Germany, are contemplating strikes

Smooth journey? Ryanair pilots and cabin crew are contemplating industrial action (Simon Calder)

Ryanair could face a series of summer strikes unless it improves its treatment of staff: that is the warning from the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF).

The federation, which represents cabin crew working for Ryanair across Europe and North Africa, has convened a meeting at the airline’s home city, Dublin.

A group called Cabin Crew United will hold a summit in the office of the Irish trade union Fórsa on Tuesday and Wednesday, 3 and 4 July.

The aim, it says, is to “voice their grievances and formulate a charter of demands”.

The federation makes a long list of complaints against Europe’s biggest budget airline: “Conditions at Ryanair have been heavily criticised over the last few years, with the range of issues highlighted including poverty pay, draconian disciplinary procedures, unachievable sales targets and staff having to pay for items that most decent employers provide."

Ryanair had long refused to recognise trade unions, but in December 2017 its policy changed.

Last week, the airline signed a recognition deal with Unite covering all UK-based cabin crew it directly employs.

But the ITF says there has yet to be any concrete improvement in conditions, and warns: “If the company does not begin to negotiate with unions in good faith and deliver real improvements for workers across its network, it risks a summer of industrial action.”

Separately, a ballot on strike action by members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association working for Ryanair closes on Tuesday. The pilots are in a dispute over seniority.

In Germany, the Vereinigung Cockpit union is balloting Ryanair pilots in a dispute over pay and workloads.

The Independent is seeking a response from Ryanair.