Ryanair: Attack on the low-cost system

Ryanair employs pilots under dubious conditions, it is a reason for the success of the airline. Now they are defending themselves, and the time is favorable.

Ryanair: Attack on the low-cost system
Content
  • Page 1 — attack on low-cost system
  • Page 2 — Social Security pay pilots fully self-employed
  • Read on a page

    All over clouds, Ryanair treats everyone equally. There are no class differences between passenger and pilot. "We also have to pay for it if we want to drink only one water from on-board service," says a young airline co-pilot. And that is just one of many expenses for which flying staff of low-cost airline itself must pay.

    The pilots even pay for hotels and transfers from ir own pockets. "I am now flying for several days at a time from a European capital city instead of my base in Germany. Where I am staying and how I get to airport, I have to organize everything myself, "says pilot, who wants to remain anonymous. His name is known online time. For this time Ryanair pays a higher rate to him, which is roughly cost ceiling. But effort is great. "This is not an issue for or airlines."

    The Ryanair pilot and many of his colleagues do not want to accept se conditions any longer. For first time in more than 30 years of company history, workers have recently been on strike to force Irish low-cost airline to negotiate a collective agreement. With success. At beginning of January re was a first meeting between Union Association Cockpit (VC) and Executive board – previously Ryanair had always vehemently rejected cooperation with trade unions. "The conversation was constructive, but we also noticed how far apart positions are," says James Phillips, board member of VC.

    For some years now, former Schmuddelairline from Dublin has been growing rapidly, with routes being offered via major airports such as Frankfurt am Main or Cologne-Bonn. 2016, company was able to significantly increase its annual profit to 1.32 billion euros. With 129 million passengers last year, Ryanair even competed with Lufthansa for title of Europe's largest airline. Decisive for this success are favorable fares that Ryanair can only offer because company keeps costs extremely low in all areas. For a long time, however, workers complained that y would have to work under very dubious circumstances.

    "Operating costs not part of salary"

    In fact, according to Phillips, pilots not only have to pay for ir water in jet, but also ir uniform, regular practice hours in flight simulators, health checks, even cards for airports. While some of expenses would be recoverable to pilots, union argues that "such operating costs could not be part of employee's salary".

    In addition to se expenses, VC is about much more important things. For example, Ryanair advertises that pilots fly with m for five consecutive days and n have four days off. Many pilots, however, complain that this is often not adhered to. "We now want this regulation to be enshrined in a collective agreement," says Phillips. Also, Ryanair pilots would have to move frequently when airline is downsizing or laying bases at airports. "Ryanair should at least pay moving costs here," says Phillips. Above all, it is a question of creating more predictability for employees. The salary question is not even in foreground in discussions.

    And one of biggest problems is not yet addressed: Cockpit Union Association estimates that Ryanair pilots stationed by 380 in Germany have a third status as a contractor, in principle as a subcontractor. "I am employed by Ryanair as an independent employee," says young co-pilot, who supports tariff waged of association cockpit.

    Date Of Update: 18 January 2018, 12:02
    NEXT NEWS