- Title: Ryanair's German pilots, cabin crew to strike on Wednesday
- Date: 11th September 2018
- Summary: BERLIN, GERMANY (SEPTEMBER 11, 2018) (REUTERS) VARIOUS OF NEWS CONFERENCE WITH VERDI UNION REPRESENTATIVES (SOUNDBITE) (German) VERDI UNION BOARD MEMBER, CHRISTINE BEHLE, SAYING: "We have reached a point in these negotiations where the second Ryanair offer does not lead us to seriously pursue negotiations. We need pressure which is why together with Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union we decided to strike tomorrow to urge Ryanair to present a better offer at the next negotiations." REPORTERS (SOUNDBITE) (German) VERDI UNION BOARD MEMBER, CHRISTINE BEHLE, SAYING: "There is a large percentage of contract workers, there are employees who never in their lives went on strike, a lot of them very young people. The majority of them is not from Germany, they don't speak our language, they are very young, aged between 18 and 24 and they never had anything to do with strikes. So this is a huge step we are taking and all of them fear for their jobs." REPORTER LISTENING (SOUNDBITE) (German) VERDI UNION BOARD MEMBER, CHRISTINE BEHLE, SAYING: "We are in the process of scheduling something with Ryanair. We are not interested in breaking off the negotiations. We want to continue them. If our strike leads to no progress we will of course plan further strike measures." REPORTER WITH HEADPHONES (SOUNDBITE) (German) VERDI UNION BOARD MEMBER, CHRISTINE BEHLE, SAYING: "People really are furious that they are being dealt with in such a way and they are ready to do something for it. You should know that unlike in other sectors where we go on strike, everyone who participates in the strike really takes a risk, possibly losing his job or his life here in Germany. They all have something to lose but they are firmly determined to still do something. This is a sign I believe where we are saying it's worth the fight." REPORTER WITH LAPTOP (SOUNDBITE) (German) VERDI UNION BOARD MEMBER, CHRISTINE BEHLE, SAYING: "It's a huge step they are taking and there is massive support among employees for this strike. We have a high interest in showing that we are standing together so this strike together with the pilots is of great value." WIDE OF NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 25th September 2018 13:25
- Keywords: Ryanair strike cockpit pilots cabin crew verdi union Germany negotiations industrial action
- Location: FRANKFURT & BERLIN, GERMANY
- City: FRANKFURT & BERLIN, GERMANY
- Country: Germany
- Topics: Company News Markets,Economic Events
- Reuters ID: LVA0028X6LLZH
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: A strike by German pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) and cabin crew in Germany forced Ryanair to cancel 150 of 400 scheduled flights to and from Germany on Wednesday, the budget airline said on Tuesday (September 11).
Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) had called a 24-hour strike late on Monday, affecting all Ryanair flights out of Germany on Wednesday to push its demands in talks with the Irish carrier on wages and work conditions.
The union called on German-based pilots to strike from Wednesday 0101 GMT until Thursday 0059 GMT.
Germany's verdi union said its members would join the planned walkout to put pressure on Ryanair.
Verdi union board member Christine Behle told reporters in Berlin that staff and contract workers were determined to strike despite fear for their jobs.
"We are saying it's worth the fight," Behle added. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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