Belgian Ryanair pilots to strike on 15 and 16 July
Ryanair pilots in Belgium will go on strike on the weekend of 15 and 16 July. A few days ago, the unions ACV Puls and CNE, and the pilots' union Beca, issued an ultimatum to Ryanair management on working conditions, but no agreement was reached.
The dispute arose after Ryanair allegedly informed its pilots in Belgium that it wanted to cancel a collective agreement on working hours and rest periods. The pilots' representatives say this is illegal.
Wages are also an issue. At the beginning of the Corona crisis, the pilots agreed to a 20 per cent pay cut, which is still in force. According to the unions, management refuses to discuss ending this gesture "despite the return of huge profits".
I wonder why, in a constitutional state, we allow a multinational like Ryanair to flout the law
"There is nothing to negotiate about. The law has to be respected," says Didier Lebbe of the CNE union. "I wonder why, in a constitutional state, we allow a multinational like Ryanair to flout the law. It's not even about negotiating new advantages."
Impact unclear
The strike's impact on holidaymakers over the weekend of 15-16 July is unclear. "It is difficult to estimate which flights will take off and which will not. Not all flights departing from Charleroi will be flown by a Belgian pilot," says Hans Elsen of the ACV Puls union to VRT NWS.
Elsen advises passengers to keep an eye on the airport's website. "They will be the first to be informed. It won't be until Wednesday at the earliest because Ryanair only gives 48 hours' notice".
© JOHN THYS / AFP
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