Pilots set up pan-European association to challenge Ryanair

Unions representing Ryanair pilots across Europe have signed a deal to cooperate in a move that could raise the prospect of coordinated action, something its management has been keen to avoid. In the agreement signed on Saturday, the unions decided to form a transnational pilot group to negotiate with Ryanair at a pan-European level, the European Cockpit Association said. Ryanair is in talks to formalise union recognition in several European countries but it has refused requests to engage with pilots on a pan-European basis. The airline did not immediately respond to a request for comment. “It is now up to Ryanair to take this great new opportunity to reach out to its pilots and engage in genuine social dialogue,” said Dirk Polloczek, president of the ECA. “Today is a historic day for Ryanair pilots in their quest for fair and equitable working conditions. And it is a great day for unity among the European pilot community,” he said.<br/>