We will no longer fly with Ryanair until the company resolves the dispute with its employees.

Ryanair Workers' Salaries

Anyone who travels by plane with a certain frequency, even just for pleasure and tourism, will have taken a flight at least once in their life Ryanair. The prices, especially if the ticket is purchased in advance, are very competitive, even ruined on some routes. Then, if you arrive at the boarding gate with a suitcase slightly larger than expected, or if you consume something on board, you might be hit with extras. And in any case, you should be prepared to expect some major delays or canceled flights. It's part of the low-cost bet, and so there is little to complain about. 

For several months Ryanair has been at the centre of a dispute (which in the meantime has seen a partial agreement only in Ireland) which led, only last winter, to the 20 flights cancelled across EuropeAfter 30 years of refusing to recognize unions, the company has now decided to open the doors to negotiations with workers, but only with unions it accepts and only under a flurry of strikes it has sent into short circuit its booking system. 

ALSO READ: Ryanair cancels flights, yes to low-cost airlines. But no to workers being squeezed like lemons.

RYANAIR EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT

On the other hand the whole model low cost Ryanair's strategy is based on a fundamental premise: pay workers as little as possible, and squeeze them to the max. So the company, which is based in Ireland and benefits from both minimum taxes both of a very favorable labor legislation for its policy of squeezing, recruits pilots, stewards and hostesses very often with VAT numbers. collaboration contracts, without paid holidays, social security and health coverage: all fireable with a simple little letter.

In the competitive world of low-cost airlines, Ryanair, by virtue of its power and financial strength, pays its employees between 7 and 9 euros less per year than other companies in the sector. And even food and uniforms are paid for by the workers.

RYANAIR STRIKES

The model is creaking under the completely unexpected force of the protests, which Ryanair is struggling to sustain, despite highly unscrupulous moves, such as hiring Polish pilots to replace those on strike. The workers' front seems very united And the blow to the reign of billionaire Michael O'Leary could be severe. While other airlines suffer loss-making balance sheets, Ryanair presented record results in 2017: profits of €1,45 billion on a turnover of around €7 billion. Very high margins. Become at risk following the long wave of strikes and the frequent flight cancellations.

Given that the low-cost model is good for the market, and it represents an option worth defending for those who travel, the question is this: what is our interest as consumers in this historic dispute? Both as users, but above all as ordinary citizens, Our main interest is that all the company's workers are rewarded as best as possible. with respect to working hours (shifts are often grueling) and their respective skills. This ensures good quality of service (starting with punctuality and cleanliness of the aircraft) and maximum safety during travel, the two things we demand when flying. 

For decades, pilots, stewards and stewardesses have enjoyed exaggerated salaries, of unmarketable benefits and privileges that have polluted the industry. This is no longer the case. And we've slipped into the opposite extreme, with the Ryanair model, based on the exploitation of labor, which sets the benchmark in the industry. This is unacceptable. This is why we, as consumers, can play an important role in the Ryanair dispute. How? Simply by not flying with this airline until it has resolved the dispute with its employees. A clear way to express our opinion, to support a sacrosanct battle, and to ensure we get the best possible performance every time we buy a ticket from a low-cost airline. 

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