Ryanair offers pilot unions recognition to stop strikes

In a surprise move, Ryanair has offered to negotiate on union recognition for its European pilot groups. The move is an attempt by Ryanair to head off a series of strikes, with the first, a 4 hour stoppage by its Italy-based pilots scheduled for Friday. The airline said it has written to pilot unions in 6 countries - Germany, Ireland, Italy, Portugal, Spain and the UK - offering talks to recognise the unions as the representative body for Ryanair pilots in each of the countries, but with the proviso that they establish committees of Ryanair pilots to deal with Ryanair issues. The airline said it will not engage with pilots who fly for competitor airlines in Ireland or elsewhere. CE Michael O’Leary has been strongly opposed to union recognition, with the airline saying as recently as Tuesday that it would “face down” the Irish pilot union intention to strike. <br/>