29th Jan 2020 09:20
(Alliance News) - Budget carrier Ryanair Holdings PLC on Wednesday said it signed a new four-year pay agreement with Irish pilots, following a dispute which even led to strike action being threatened in August.
The deal with union Forsa, will see Ryanair adopt a new pay structure and implement a fixed 5/4 shift pattern, consisting of five successive days of work, followed by four days off.
The four-year collective labour agreement was arranged by Kieran Mulvey, an independent mediator.
The airline said: "Ryanair would like to thank Kieran Mulvey for his contribution and expertise in overseeing this mediation process which has now concluded."
In August, Irish pilots voted in favour of industrial action over pay, trade union Forsa said.
Around 180 pilots directly employed by the budget airline in Ireland, and who are members of the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association, were eligible to vote. A 94% majority favoured the industrial action.
Ryanair branded the vote as "unlawful" and took the matter to the Dublin High Court, which approved the airline's bid to stop the proposed strike.
That same month however, the company lost a High Court bid to block strike action by its UK pilots.
On Tuesday, Reuters reported that Ryanair is planning potential base closures and job cuts due to delays in the delivery of Boeing Co's 737 MAX aircraft into the autumn.
According to an internal memo dated Tuesday, Ryanair said it expects the aircraft maker to not deliver the first 737 MAX until September or October at the earliest, according to Reuters.
The 737 MAX was grounded by aviation regulators last year following two fatal crashes.
Shares in Ryanair were 0.3% higher at EUR14.94 each in London on Wednesday.
By Eric Cunha; [email protected]
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