01 Sep 2004 -
Ryan-Be-Fair

3 September 2004

Just three days into the ITF’s radical new campaign to give Ryanair workers a voice through a dedicated website, www.ryan-be-fair.org, and nearly 1000 people worlwide have logged their views and signed an appeal to Ryanair for fairness. Passengers have used the forum to express their concern and support for the plight of the non-unionised Ryanair workforce; while employees have raised concerns about workplace issues.

Unions have also contributed to the success of the website: Swedish ITF affiliate Tj änstemannaförbundet (HTF) produced campaign materials in the form of sick bags labelled, “ Too much for my stomach. Ryanair deplores employees. HTF wants a collective agreement.” An HTF representative also took part in an interview on Swedish radio on the subject of Ryanair, after which an attempt was made to contact the company - to no avail.

Meanwhile other press, radio and television coverage continues to keep the campaign in the spotlight.

“This innovative approach is definitely worth pursuing and we look forward to developing the initiative further to ensure Ryanair employees continue to have a collective voice,” commented Ingo Marowsky, ITF Civil Aviation Secretary.

The website was set up after reports that a number of employees of the anti-union company were afraid to lose their jobs if they were seen to be trying to assert their rights.