Ryanair said on Tuesday that it will recognise cabin crew unions, following its agreement last week to deal with pilots' organisations.
The news comes as the airline prepares for its first meeting later on Tuesday with Impact, the union representing Irish pilots.
Ryanair said that in line with its statement last Friday, it was moving to recognise unions, beginning this week by meeting with Irish, German and Portuguese pilots.
“It will lead on in the New Year to meetings with other EU pilot unions and cabin crew unions in due course as well,” the airline said.
Following Ryanair’s announcement that it would recognise pilots unions, the International Federation of Transport Workers confirmed that it was seeking the same concession for cabin crew.
Around 8,000 cabin crew work for Ryanair, though most are employed through agencies such as Dublin-based Crewlink and Workforce International.
Ryanair has refused to deal with trade unions throughout its 30-year plus history, although it has always said that it does not ban staff from joining them.
Chief executive Michael O’Leary said on Friday that it would agree to recognise pilots’ unions to avert strikes planned for this week as people travelled for Christmas.
Irish, German and Portuguese pilots all threatened to strike this week as part of an ongoing campaign to win recognition.
