Pilots at Ryanair have voted in favor of industrial action, after slow progress on union negotiations.
The budget airline agreed to recognize trade unions for the first time last December.
However, pilots are disappointed over the slow pace of talks.
120 of those directly employed by Ryanair have voted for industrial action but it’s not yet clear how passengers will be affected.
Labour Party spokesperson on Transport Kevin Humphreys has called on Ryanair to take the concerns of pilots and the needs of passengers seriously following today’s ballot result.
“Ryanair need to get serious about their working conditions and do what is necessary to avoid a pilots strike,” Senator Humphreys said.
“We are in the peak period of summer travel. If no resolution is reached with the Irish Airline Pilot Association thousands of customers will be discommoded this summer.
“What Ryanair pilots are asking for is commonplace in many airlines and is not unreasonable. Ryanair acknowledged unions for the first time in 2017 to avoid a Christmas strike.
“However, they must realize now that recognizing them is not enough, they must now work with them to prevent massive disruption and to do right by their staff and customers.”