Airline seeks negotiators in 'hiring blitz' before union talks

Stock photo: REUTERS

John Mulligan

Ryanair is on a hiring blitz to swell its ranks of hard-nosed negotiators who will be charged with leading talks with unions across Europe.

The airline - which before Christmas agreed to recognise trade unions for the first time in its 32-year history - has told prospective negotiators that they'll be playing a key role in talks as it thrashes out collective agreements with unions in 20 countries.

"We are looking to hire expert negotiators with a demonstrable track record in leading and concluding negotiations on either side of the negotiating process in an IR (industrial relations)/union environment," it said in an advertisement for the roles.

It added: "You will play a key role in defining our employee relations strategy and how we interact with trade unions and Ryanair people."

Ryanair's chief people officer Eddie Wilson said yesterday that he had recently held talks with unions in France as the airline eyes expansion there.

He said that he would meet with Danish unions soon.

The airline's chief operations officer Peter Bellew insisted yesterday that the airline was continuing to hire a large number of first officers, and had "no problem" hiring experienced captains.