This evening’s announcement by Ryanair is very distressing news for crew based in Cork and Shannon, their families, in addition to other airport staff and the economies of both regions.
It reflects the very difficult circumstances affecting the entire Irish aviation industry as a result of the Covid pandemic. We’ve worked closely with all aviation employers, including Ryanair, in order to maximise job protection since March.
Fórsa has called on the Government also to intervene to support the industry because Ireland’s connectivity through aviation is crucial to its economy. The industry supports quality jobs throughout the country.
Fórsa general secretary and vice-president of the Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) Kevin Callinan, has previously called on the Government to engage collectively with all interests directly involved in the aviation sector.
He said the challenges and severe difficulties facing workers, and the companies that employ them, in recovering from the Covid-19 pandemic crisis, are set to continue for a prolonged period.
Fórsa represents members employed throughout the Irish aviation industry, including Aer Lingus and Ryanair, as well as staff at the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) and Dublin Airport Authority (DAA).
In May this year the union called on the Government to act swiftly to ensure that the country would still have an aviation industry after the Covid-19 health crisis is over, and identified regional airports as being particularly vulnerable.
Read the Ryanair memo to staff HERE.