First pilots, now cabin crew – Ryanair to recognise other unions

Ryanair has said it will recognise cabin crew unions and hold meetings in the new year, as it prepared to start its first ever talks with pilots’ unions in Dublin Tuesday. The airline announced last week that it would recognise pilots’ unions in a bid to head off strikes planned in the run-up to Christmas. The move marked a dramatic shift after decades of refusing to negotiate with unions and came after groups of pilots around Europe called strikes. Ryanair’s announcement that it will also recognise cabin crew unions comes after renewed focus on its treatment of lower-paid staff. Crew have been warned of disciplinary proceedings for missing sales targets on scratchcards, while staff on Italian bases were threatened with collective sanctions if any member joined a strike called last week. <br/>