Ryanair passengers flying to a number of popular European destinations will encounter disruption today as the first day of strike action kicks off today.
Workers at the budget airline will walk out in Spain, Portugal and Belgium on Friday amid a dispute over pay and working conditions.
Similar action will take place in Italy and France over the coming days.
The Unión Sindical Obrera (USO), which represents airline workers in Spain, is demanding decent working conditions for its members.
READ MORE: EasyJet and Ryanair summer strike dates as five countries to be impacted
READ MORE: Ryanair strikes could intensify summer travel chaos within days - all walkout dates
USO General Secretary Lidia Aransanz, said: “Ryanair crew continue to be third party workers, our rights are still not respected.
“Ryanair has forced this strike and we have to return to the mobilisation so that the reality of our situation is known, so that Ryanair is forced to comply with the application of basic labour rights and court rulings and to achieve an agreement and some decent working conditions for the entire workforce.
“Ryanair is the only international company in our country without a collective agreement.”
Ryanair denied that the strikes will bring ‘widespread disruption’ over the summer for holidaymakers.
A spokesperson said: “Ryanair has negotiated collective agreements covering 90 percent of our people across Europe.
“Those negotiations are going well and we do not expect widespread disruption this summer.”
Here are the dates when Ryanair strikes will take place, according to the Express.
Spain
Six days of strikes have been planned by Ryanair crews based in Spain.
This week, customers should expect staff walkouts on Friday, June 24, Saturday 25 and Sunday 26.
Further strikes will also take place on Friday, July 1 and Saturday, July 2.
Workers have said they are “unhappy” with working conditions and pay given to Ryanair staff.
Holidaymakers planning to or from Spain on these dates should check their flight status prior to, and on the day of travel.
Portugal
Staff in Portugal will demonstrate their cause over three days of planned strikes on June 24, 25 and 26.
The strikes have been fuelled by calls for compliance with Portuguese law and better working conditions for staff being unresolved by Ryanair.
The civil aviation union, SNPVAC said: “This mobilisation is not only an opportunity to put the spotlight on multiple attacks on workers’ dignity and to make this reality known but also a moment to show unity and solidarity against dumping.”
Italy
Unions representing staff in Italy called for a shorter 24-hour strike on Saturday, June 25 to coincide with walkouts in both Spain and Portugal.
Disputes over pay and working conditions have fuelled the action - both issues that have been unresolved for some time.
The short strike will be the second one this month, following earlier action by the FILT-CGIL and UILTrasporti unions in the form of a four-hour stoppage to seek improved pay and conditions for Ryanair workers.
France
In France, unions have threatened action on Saturday, June 25 and Sunday, June 26 with several airports expected to be affected.
Ground staff from Aéroports de Paris are planning further action on July 2 following calls for a salary increase of €300.
The action is being coordinated by several French unions and could cover all staff at both Charles de Gaulle and Orly airport in Paris, including security personnel.
Belgium
Crew in Belgium will strike for three days to demonstrate the alleged failure by Ryanair to respect Belgian labour law.
Despite claims from Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary stating that allegations made by Belgium were “complete rubbish”, crew are still planning to strike on June 24, 25 and 26.
The weekend strikes will mark the second bout of action to affect the country’s flight schedule this week, following earlier cancellations to all departing flights from Brussels Brussels Zaventem Airport on Monday during a security staff strike.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
