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Ryanair UK pilots agree post-Covid pay restoration

Ryanair’s UK pilots have voted to accept a revised offer on post-Covid pay restoration following negotiations.

The breakthrough in one of Ryanair’s largest markets came as unions representing cabin crew in Belgium, Portugal, France and Italy prepare to strike for between one and three days each later this week.

A spokesperson for the pilots’ union Balpa said: “Following the intense negotiations Ryanair put forward a revised offer. Balpa members were balloted and voted to accept the offer.”

Members voted overwhelmingly two years ago to accept temporary pay cuts in order to avoid job losses due to Covid-19 groundings.

Chief executive Michael O’Leary said in January that management had begun discussions with unions across its network about accelerating pay restoration in a deal he said might result in the extension of pay agreements by a year or two.

Asked how many pilots had accepted deals covering post-Covid pay restoration, a Ryanair spokesperson said over 70% of its pilots are covered by “newly renegotiated agreements”. 

There are pay agreements in place for all pilots, the airline told Reuters.

Balpa last month said it was in negotiations with Ryanair “to end the Covid-19 mitigation measures … and to see some recognition, from management, of the loyalty and sacrifices the workforce has made.” 

Further details of the approved deal were not disclosed.

News of the deal came as Ryanair added more than 200 flights from 19 UK airports to fill in for cancellations made by British Airways, easyJet and Tui. 

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