Ryanair's Dutch pilots back strikes as labor conflict worsens

Ryanair pilots in the Netherlands followed their German colleagues in voting in favour of strikes, raising pressure on the discount giant already smarting from walkouts last week in 5 other countries in a dispute over pay and conditions. Nearly all flight deck crew backed “possible” industrial action, the Dutch Airline Pilots Association said Tuesday. No strike dates have been decided by the union, which represents 40 Ryanair pilots at Eindhoven airport. The outcome came a day after German pilots also threw their support behind labor action. While talks for a Ryanair collective labor agreement in the Netherlands are still ongoing “we are losing hope for a positive outcome,” the union said. “Ryanair needs a ‘wake up call’ and a strike in the Netherlands might be the only solution.” <br/>