Cabin crew at Ryanair have voted in favour of a deal negotiated by Fórsa which will see pay cut by 10% and provides for pay to be restored over a four year period.
Cabin crew backed the deal in a ballot by a majority of 62% on a turnout of 68%.
The agreement, which was negotiated in response to the impact of the Covid-19 crisis on the airline, contains a review clause and a commitment by Ryanair to continue negotiations with Fórsa on an overall collective labour agreement.
An overall agreement will seek to cover issues of concern to cabin crew including annual leave, base transfers and early transition for agency crew.
An overall agreement will seek to cover issues of concern to cabin crew including annual leave, base transfers and early transition for agency crew.
Fórsa official Ashley Connolly said the deal reflected the severity of the crisis faced by aviation generally, while the union continued in its aim to protect as many jobs as possible in anticipation of an eventual recovery:
“This agreement is a product of the difficulties being faced by the aviation industry globally.
“Our cabin crew members understand the severity of this crisis. They’ve backed an agreement that protects their job and provides for a review of circumstances should they improve sooner than expected. Equally, it was important for us to have the restoration of pay built in to the agreement,” she said.
Ashley added that the union would continue to negotiate with the airline as it has done since Fórsa secured recognition for cabin crew in 2018.
“This has been a significant challenge for all parties concerned. We remain focused on maximising protections for these Ryanair workers.
This has been a significant challenge for all parties concerned. We remain focused on maximising protections for these Ryanair worker.
“There remains a lot more work to do, and it will be done in a uniquely challenging environment where none of the parties involved yet know how the industry will emerge from the current crisis,” she said.
The terms of the deal includes the replacement of a bonus of up to €1,800 per year, which was due to expire in March 2021, with a basic salary increase of €900 gross a year in July 2023 and €900 gross a year in July 2024.
This is designed to provide more certainty of earnings for cabin crew, as well as increasing the proportion of fixed pay as pay is restored over the four year duration of the agreement.
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