Ryanair wants to fire 12 crew members for non-compliance with minimum services during strikes

Ryanair has sent a blame note to 12 cabin crew members stating their intent to fire them, alleging non-compliance with the minimum services in the strike from the 21^st to the 25^th of August, a union source said on Monday.

This information was confirmed by the president of the National Union of Civil Aviation Flight Staff, Luciana Passo.

Luciana Passo said that the note sent by the airline, aimed at “dismissing the staff with just cause”, was received on Wednesday by 12 of the Portuguese workers, after being accused by Ryanair of having failed to carry out the minimum services during the strike between the 21st and 25^th of August.

“Minimum services that the company itself had arranged,” the unionist pointed out, considering such a procedure “grossly illegal” as the targeted workers fulfilled the minimum services that were set by the Government.

Luciana Passo said that the union is looking over the content of the guilty notes sent to the 12 crew members, who were “pre-emptively suspended”, and requested the intervention of the Ministries of Labor and Infrastructure, awaiting a response.

Lusa sought comments from Ireland-based Ryanair, but to no avail.

Ryanair’s Portuguese cabin crew were on strike between the 21st and 25th August, alleging non-compliance with Portuguese legislation, in particular regarding the payment of holiday and Christmas allowances, the number of holiday days, and the integration of contractors through recruitment agencies.

Ryanair assures that it has proposed a company agreement that responds to crew members’ concerns and complies with Portuguese law, offering salary increases “over five years” and ensuring that staff already receive “remuneration well above that practiced in the local market”.

The National Civil Aviation Flight Personnel Union has already delivered a new cabin crew strike notice for the 27^th of September.