Ryanair has faced a setback from Spain’s Supreme Court, which deemed the staff pay cuts and working condition alterations imposed during the COVID-19 pandemic in July 2020 as unlawful. The court upheld a 2021 National Court ruling, dismissing Ryanair’s appeal against changes made to Spanish contracts in response to global travel restrictions.
The Supreme Court judges highlighted the lack of consultation period for the changes and criticised the company’s failure to negotiate in good faith, citing insufficient documentation. These changes resulted in 10% pay cuts for cabin crew staff and 20% for pilots, alongside reductions in rest days and the elimination of a monthly productivity bonus valued at €150 (£128.00).
The lawsuit, initiated by the Sitcpla union representing cabin workers and the USO union, affected 893 cabin crew and 608 pilots. Ryanair is now compelled to restore its previous working contracts.
In response, a statement from the USO union expressed hope for an immediate implementation of the restored work patterns. It lamented the strategy employed by companies like Ryanair, which sought to exploit legal loopholes for short-term gains, particularly during crises like the COVID pandemic.
