Ryanair staff move closer to strike action over pay and safety issues

Ground staff at Ryanair moved closer to strike action at Dublin Airport yesterday, threatening major disruption to flights for returning holidaymakers. If strike notice is served today the effects could be felt as early as next Wednesday.

Discussions between ground staff members and SIPTU officials are expected to conclude today. Staff members have reaffirmed their commitment to the union negotiating on their behalf.

In a letter received by SIPTU on Monday, the management indicated it would not negotiate with the union. The airline preferred to deal directly with its own staff, said Mr Conor McCarthy, director of group operations at Ryanair.

If today's meeting follows the lines of yesterday's it is expected that strike action will be served on the company, probably with effect from next Wednesday.

That could mean major disruption for people returning to Britain and the Continent after the holidays.

The dispute centres on pay rates, safety and health concerns, and recognition of the right of a trade union to negotiate on behalf of its members.

Though some staff at Ryanair are trade union members, the company has never negotiated with a union. As policy, it has always dealt directly with its staff on matters of pay and conditions.

The current situation arose a month ago when up to 50 ground staff members joined SIPTU because they felt a commitment by the company had not been honoured.

They claim that the company promised during the summer that their pay levels would be ahead of those at Servisair, a comparable handling company at Dublin Airport. At the time, ground staff at Ryanair had indicated they were considering joining a trade union.

The approximate average income of Ryanair ground staff has been put at £13,000 per annum, compared with about £16,000 at Servisair. Ground staff at Ryanair are paid a flat time-and-a-half rate for all overtime, including Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays, with the first hour of overtime paid at the regular rate.

At Servisair, overtime rates are at double time for relevant days, and are paid in full from the beginning of an overtime shift.

There are no incremental scales of pay for Ryanair ground staff, and no promotional grades, although staff perform similar supervisory functions to Servisair employees.

Ryanair also operates a bonus scheme under which ground staff members are paid £108 for any month in which they do not miss a day through sickness. However, this bonus is included by the company as part of each employee's basic pay.

On December 3rd SIPTU wrote to the company requesting a meeting to discuss a "substantial" pay rise for ground staff, and "proper" overtime and shift rates.

It also said it wished to discuss health and safety matters with the company. It is understood that that remains the union's position.