The union representing Ryanair pilots in Spain is launching two legal actions in relation to their employment contracts.
In a memo to its Ryanair members, SEPLA's Ryanair company council expresses the view that based on recent events and views expressed by company managers, the airline has no intention of negotiating with the pilots' representatives until it is forced to do so.
SEPLA tells pilots they have been naïve in believing that management really wanted to change the course of such "toxic" labour relations.
It accuses Ryanair of only seeking to gain time - something which the airline had "unfortunately" achieved.
SEPLA says that in light of this, the union has recruited lawyers to mount two law suits.
The first deals with Ryanair contracts, which SEPLA believes fail to comply with Spanish law in a number of respects.
The second will focus on the regularisation of contractor pilots, who are employed thorough agencies or other intermediary arrangements.
SEPLA tells the pilots they will also seek restrospective payment of anyting that is owed to them.
Asked about the threatened legal action, Ryanair insisted any legal action taken by SEPLA would fail.
The airline cited a recent ruling in the Valencia Court of Appeal which it says found that Spanish courts have no jursidiction over Ryanair crew contracts of employment.
It went on: "Since Ryanair fully complies with all EU employment law and relevant Spanish legislation, any threatened SEPLA lawsuit will fail. This is why SEPLA talks about lawsuits but has failed to initiate any."
Asked whether the Spanish Labour Inspectorate had carried out inspections at the Ryanair base in Barcelona, the airline said: "Labour inspections are routine in Spain and many other jurisdictions, but we have not had any recent inspections in Barcelona."
Shortly before Christmas, Ryanair reversed its 32 year policy and agreed to recognise unions in order to avert strikes over issues including collective bargaining rights.
It has already reached a recognition agreement with the British union BALPA but discussions are still continuing with unions in other jurisdictions including Ireland.
Chief Executive Michael O'Leary has already warned that the airline will face down "laughable" demands from unions even if it led to strikes at Easter.
