Ryanair Faces First-Ever Strikes in Union Holiday Offensive

  • Irish pilots set Dec. 20 walkout; Germany to act ‘any time’
  • Pilots seek independent representation for contract talks
Photographer: Chris Ratcliffe/Bloomberg
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Ryanair Holdings Plc’s first-ever round of strikes risks spreading from Italy to Ireland and Germany as unions across Europe intensify a push for the discount airline to recognize independent labor representation.

Members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association said Tuesday it told the carrier that they’ll halt work for a day on Dec. 20 over Ryanair’s refusal to recognize labor groups. Italian crew already plan a four-hour walkout on Dec. 15. Vereinigung Cockpit, which represents flight-deck crews in Germany, said Tuesday that Ryanair pilots based there plan stoppages “at any time,” though declined to specify a date.