Danish unions target Ryanair

Danish trade unions have said they would launch action at airports from which Ryanair flies that would effectively stop its services after they said the airline refused to sign up to national collective agreements.

In the latest salvo in the months-long dispute, which began before Ryanair even started flying from Copenhagen, the unions said they will refuse services such as refuelling at Copenhagen on July 18 and at two airports in Jutland on July 23.

The airline’s policy of employing people in countries such as Denmark, under the less generous terms of its home nation, has angered Danish labour unions.

The unions wanted the carrier to sign a Danish collective agreement with its locally-based pilots and cabin crew. Last week a court said the unions were allowed to refuse to service Ryanair flights if the carrier did not meet that demand.

Ryanair said two days later it would re-base its single Copenhagen plane but then agreed to fresh talks. Local media said the meeting lasted eight minutes.

“Ryanair has sadly flat out refused to enter an agreement with the union and ensure their employees pay and labour terms are in accordance with the Danish labour market,” said Lizette Risgaard, chairwoman of the trade union umbrella group LO.

A spokesperson for the airline said: "Ryanair will also continue to negotiate directly with its pilots and cabin crew, who already enjoy high pay, unmatched job security and are covered by collective agreements, at a time when SAS is cutting jobs, pay and pensions."

* Reuters