3% pay-rise for Ryanair staff

Ryanair has announced a 3% pay increase for staff, backdated to April 1 of this year, following negotiations last month.

Budget airline Ryanair today announced a 3% pay hike for nearly all of its 2,600 staff.

The firm said all employees across Europe – apart from its Dublin-based pilots - would benefit from the rise, backdated to the start of April.

Director of personnel Eddie Wilson said: “Despite high oil prices and over-capacity in many European markets, Ryanair will again be one of the few airlines in Europe to award salary increases and secure careers for our people.”

All staff who negotiated directly with the carrier during a round of pay talks last month are due to receive a rise.

However, its group of around 70 Dublin-based pilots will receive no increase after it was claimed they were the only employees not to have taken part in the direct talks.

“As a result they have not at this time enjoyed a pay increase; however, the door remains open to this group should they choose to avail of it,” Mr Wilson said.

The company claimed Ryanair staff were enjoying better pay and conditions than unionised competitors.

Ryanair has hit headlines for its cost-saving initiatives in recent times, including its decision to ban staff from charging up mobile phones.