The Ryanair Pilot Group (RPG) is an unrecognised labor union formed in 2012 by pilots working for the low cost Irish airline, Ryanair. The three founders were Evert Van Zwol, John Goss and Ted Murphy.[1] As of 2013, more than 50% of pilots in Ryanair were registered and represented by the RPG in all categories.[2][3] By 2020, RPG had effectively ceased to operate, referring pilots who visited its website to their national pilot associations.[4]

Ryanair Recognition

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In the Irish Supreme Court case of Ryanair Limited v Labour Court & Impact in 2007, Mr Justice Geoghegan ruled that Ryanair was entitled not to deal with trade unions.[5]

As of October 2013, Ryanair had not officially recognised the Ryanair Pilot Group. In an August 2013 interview, Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary dismissed the group as a "joke" and claimed that the pilots group was an attempt by pilot unions from other airlines to unionise Ryanair.[6] Following a comment from the Ryanair CEO Michael O'Leary in August 2013 in which he agreed to meet with the RPG if more than 1601 pilots were registered with them, an invitation to talk was sent by the RPG.[2][3] In response, Ryanair released a short statement, stating that "We don’t comment on the activity or false claims of KLM or Aer Lingus pilots,” a reference to the five-member interim council of the Ryanair Pilot Group consisting of non-Ryanair pilots.[7]

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References

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  1. ^ O'Faolain, Aodhan (28 November 2017). "Ryanair Pilot Group member tells court of 'war against us'". The Irish Times. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  2. ^ a b Lundgren, Kari (2013-10-29). "Ryanair Pilot Group Calls on CEO to Discuss Work Conditions". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  3. ^ a b "Ryanair Pilot Group calls for negotiations - RTÉ News". Rte.ie. 2013-10-29. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  4. ^ "Ryanair pilot group". Ryanair pilot group. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
  5. ^ Doherty, Michael (2007). "Union sundown? The future of collective representation rights in Irish law". Irish Employment Law Journal. 4 (4). Thomson Round Hall. ISSN 1649-4024. Retrieved 29 April 2014.
  6. ^ "Ryanair CEO: Ryanair Pilot Group is a joke - CNBC". Video.cnbc.com. Retrieved 2014-04-29.
  7. ^ Keena, Colm (30 October 2013). "Ryanair Pilot Group plans to meet investors". The Irish Times. Retrieved 29 April 2014.