Ryanair and pilots’ union reach agreement after 22 hours of talks

An agreement has been reached in talks between Ryanair and pilots’ union Forsa following a 22-hour negotiation session, the union has said.

Talks had been continuing to try to resolve the long-running dispute between the budget airline and Forsa.

The proposed agreement will now be put to a ballot of members.

In a statement Forsa said: “Following a 22-hour negotiating session, which began on Wednesday morning and concluded Thursday morning, agreement has been reached between Forsa and Ryanair in the pilots’ dispute.

“The proposed agreement will now go to ballot, with a recommendation for acceptance from Forsa and its Ryanair pilot representatives.

“The union has been asked by facilitator Kieran Mulvey to make no public comment while the ballot is conducted.”

The dispute over conditions, base transfers and annual leave, resulted in five days of strike action by its Ireland-based pilots.

A spokesman for the airline said: “Ryanair confirmed that overnight it had reached agreement with Forsa union and its Irish pilots’ committee on behalf of Republic of Ireland-based pilots.

“Ryanair will take these proposals to its board in due course after the Irish-based pilots have voted on this signed agreement.

“The mediator, Kieran Mulvey, has asked both sides to refrain from further comment until the ballot has concluded and we will respect his wishes.”