Ryanair resists pilot call for new industrial relations approach

Ryanair resisted moves by pilots to unionise Thursday, after one demanded the airline adopts a new approach to industrial relations. The European Cockpit Association, which represents pilot unions, said the demand by Imelda Comer represented the view of pilots in the majority of Ryanair's 86 bases, who are in the process of setting up a pan-European representative body. After the airline said it would not respond to anonymous letters, Comer became the first Ryanair captain to speak publicly in a letter to Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary. Ryanair, which does not recognise trade unions, dismissed Comer's letter as "disingenuous" and said it would not correspond with any newly formed pilot group. It said Comer had already resigned and was due to leave Ryanair Oct 31. <br/>