Pilots employed in the UK for Europe’s biggest budget airline are balloting on industrial action.
Flight crew who work for Ryanair and belong to the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) will be sent voting forms on 24 July with the results of the ballot announced on 7 August.
If there is a vote in favour of strike action, the earliest it could begin is 21 August.
The dispute is over a pay and conditions claim that, says Balpa, seeks to resolve areas of concern for pilots on issues such as pensions, allowances and maternity benefits.
The union’s general secretary, Brian Strutton said: “Our Ryanair representatives have been trying to tackle some of the many issues that result from years of non-recognition of unions within Ryanair. But we have not been able to make any progress with Ryanair at all on any of our areas of concern. As usual with Ryanair, it’s their way or the highway, and we are not prepared to put up with that.”
The Independent has asked Ryanair for a response.
Pilots working for British Airways and belonging to Balpa are currently being balloted on industrial action, with the result expected on 22 July. The first possible date for a strike is 5 August.
Separately, 4,000 workers at Heathrow airport, including security guards, are set to strike on 26 and 27 July and on a series of dates in August.
