Ryanair have hit back at claims they should shut Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Limited this week.
The firm carry out the heavy maintenance checks for Ryanair aircrafts, the equivalent to an MOT for a plane carried out every two years.
Earlier we revealed workers fury after they were told they must continue working, for half their wage, despite Ryanair's entire fleet being grounded.
Insiders hit out at bosses, claiming the decision to remain open was putting over 300 employees and their families at risk.
They raised concerns about a lack of Personal Protective Equipment and impossible working conditions for social distancing.
And the Scottish Government agreed that the company should “rethink” the decision to stay open.
Despite that a Ryanair spokesperson today insisted: “The maintenance facility at Prestwick is maintaining aircraft that are supporting repatriation and medical cargo flights. Ryanair is fully complying with all guidelines issued by EASA and WHO.”
But one employee, who asked not to be named, has hit back at that response saying: “There are numerous aircraft parked up that are fully maintained and ready to fly. We don’t even work on live aircraft. All aircraft we work on are out of service whilst we do the checks.”
And Prospect, the main union which represents the workers and has more than 200 members from the firm, has now also blasted bosses.
David Avery, Negotiator for Prospect, said: “For Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Limited (PAML) to force workers to continue to work like this is dangerous and foolhardy.
“The guidance is clear that the work being carried out by PAML does not fall into the ‘essential’ category as the aircraft it is working on are neither supporting critical supply chain or required to provide air transport during the current crisis. The government is offering unprecedented support to companies at this time to support a workforce that isn’t working – PAML must take advantage of this and furlough its workers immediately.
“Prospect has worked with many employers in similar situations as PAML to arrive at the best solution for both company and workers. PAML must engage with us and with its workforce.”
