European Ryanair cabin crew published a Crew Charter yesterday (Wednesday 4th July) following their first summit which took place in Dublin. The charter details a set of demands to the company which will be used by affiliated unions in their negotiations with the airline.
Ryanair cabin crew from the airline's European bases convened at Fórsa's Dublin HQ for the summit, the first of its kind to take place.The summit was organised by the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) and European Transport Workers’ Federation (ETF), under the banner of Cabin Crew United. Cabin crew from around 80% of Ryanair bases were in attendance.
The ITF said the Ryanair Crew Charter outlines "the changes the company must make to bring it in line with comparable employers."
It contains demands on economic conditions, safety and rostering, a fair and supportive work culture, agency employment, the right to sick pay and sales targets. One of its key demands is that employment contracts explicitly recognise national law and jurisdiction in the country a worker is based.
In its statement, the ITF said: "Last December, following intense pressure from workers, Ryanair finally announced that it would recognise unions. However, little progress has been made over the last six months and there have so far been no concrete improvements in pay or working conditions at the airline. If Ryanair fails to respond promptly and appropriately then it risks industrial action over the summer. ITF and ETF support all lawful industrial action undertaken by their national affiliates with the aim of winning a fair deal for workers."
Oliver Richardson of Unite trade union joined ITF representatives to launch the charter at a packed press conference at Fórsa's office in Nerney's Court. The press conference was later addressed by three Ryanair workplace representatives, who each answered questions about their experience, workplace concerns and support for the charter.
It's the first time Ryanair workplace representatives have spoken directly with journalists at a press conference. Media outlets represented at the press conference agreed to keep the briefing 'off the record', which meant that comments would be reported but the worker representatives would not be identified.
Cabin Crew United is an alliance of trade unions affiliated to the International Transport Workers’ Federation and European Transport Workers’ Federation (which includes Fórsa), and is dedicated to winning a better deal for Ryanair cabin crew workers.
You can read the full charter here.
