Ryanair pilots tell CE they want to negotiate collectively

Ryanair pilots have written to CE Michael O'Leary seeking to negotiate pay and conditions collectively rather than through the present system of negotiations with each of the airline's 86 individual bases. In a letter entitled "A collective message to our CE", signed by 59 pilots representing their colleagues, they say they refuse to be divided any longer into 86 separate groups across Europe. They say the current negotiating system was imposed by management but has never served their interests, adding that it is time for this "failed" arrangement to stop. They deny they are forming a Ryanair pilots' union - but stress that in future, they will decide for themselves how they wish to be represented. Ryanair dismissed the letter as "meaningless", and reiterated that it will not engage with the EERC or any other group "fronting" for pilot unions of competitor airlines. <br/>