BALPA released this statement:
The British Airline Pilots Association (BALPA) has achieved a significant legal triumph in the Court of Appeal, securing a landmark judgment that not only delivers justice for Ryanair pilots but also sets a powerful precedent for the entire trade union movement.
The Court’s ruling today firmly established that Ryanair’s practice of putting pilots who exercised their legal right to strike in 2019 on a blacklist in order to withdraw their travel benefits constituted a breach of the Blacklisting Regulations. This decision underscores that such retaliatory actions against workers who take part in lawful industrial action are both unacceptable and unlawful.
The Case at a Glance
The legal case arose after BALPA called a strike among Ryanair pilots in 2019. In response, Ryanair threatened to revoke concessionary travel benefits for employees who participated in the action. True to its warning, the airline removed these benefits for 12 months, effectively punishing pilots for exercising their legal right to strike.
With BALPA’s backing, the affected pilots represented by Farrer & Co successfully argued that Ryanair’s conduct amounted to blacklisting under UK regulations designed to protect workers from such discriminatory practices. The case involved the expertise of five KCs including Stuart Brittenden KC and Bruce Carr KC on BALPAs legal team. Today’s ruling decisively confirms that stance.
Implications for the Wider Union Movement
This case reinforces the principle that workers’ rights to organize and engage in lawful strikes are sacrosanct and its significance was recognised by the Secretary of State of Business and Trade who intervened in the case. BALPA’s victory highlights the critical role trade unions play in defending these rights and ensuring employers are held accountable for any breaches.
Credit: worldairlinenews.com
