Ryanair cabin staff in Belgium, Spain, Portugal stop work demanding pay increase

Khalid Umar Malik
26 Jun 2022, 01:40 GMT+10

Some Ryanair cabin crew went on strike Friday in Belgium, Spain, and Portugal over pay and working conditions, causing minor disruption as the budget airline canceled dozens of flights, ...
In Europe, rising inflation has caused millions of workers to face higher living costs, prompting trade unions to demand higher wage increases, frequently accompanied by strike calls.
Airlines and airport operators across Europe have also faced staff shortages as travel demand rebounded following the repeal of most Covid-19 restrictions.

BRUSSELS, Belgium - Some Ryanair cabin crew went on strike Friday in Belgium, Spain, and Portugal over pay and working conditions, causing minor disruption as the budget airline canceled dozens of flights, stranding hundreds of passengers.

In Europe, rising inflation has caused millions of workers to face higher living costs, prompting trade unions to demand higher wage increases, frequently accompanied by strike calls.

Airlines and airport operators across Europe have also faced staff shortages as travel demand rebounded following the repeal of most Covid-19 restrictions.

Several other airlines, including British Airways, have planned strikes this summer.

Cabin crew unions in Belgium, Spain, and Portugal have called for a three-day strike beginning Friday.

Staff in France and Italy were expected to strike over the weekend, while crews in Spain are planning another strike on June 30 and July 1-2.

Workers claim that Ryanair does not follow local labor laws, such as the minimum wage, and they urge Ryanair executives to improve working conditions.

Ryanair did not immediately respond to a request for comment but told the press last week that it had negotiated labor agreements covering 90% of its employees across Europe and did not expect widespread disruption this summer.