I resigned because of Ryanair 'bully-boy' tactics, claims pilot
A former Ryanair pilot has claimed that CEO Michael O'Leary told pilots "you're some crowd of f**king idiots" during a major dispute over their right to union representation.
Joe Peard, who is taking a constructive dismissal case against the no-frills airline, said Mr O'Leary also warned them: "If you want a f**king war, put your hard hats on, get your banners and go on to the roundabout."
Mr Peard, from Terenure in Dublin, admitted he sat on his hands so people would not notice how much he was trembling during his first experience of a meeting with Mr O'Leary.
At a hearing yesterday at the Employment Appeals Tribunal, he claimed the budget carrier boss used tactics he had not "experienced since school" when pushing through a training package for pilots.
The pilot, who now works in Dubai, said the airline offered to pay €15,000 to train pilots on a new Dublin fleet if they signed an undertaking to forsake collective bargaining.
But many pilots refused to sign a bond abandoning their entitlement to raise issues at the Labour Court, which eventually led to a ruling by the Supreme Court in favour of the company.
Mr Peard, who now works for Emirates airline, is claiming that Ryanair subjected him to a "systematic and ongoing campaign of harassment", forcing him to resign.
He said he was denied promotion unless he put in writing that he would drop various legal claims he was making, despite being assessed as suitable for promotion on five occasions.
The pilot also claims that he was penalised by the "manipulation" of the roster so he was earning less, by being put on lower-paid long-haul rather than short-haul flights.
His representative, Michael Landers, assistant general secretary of Impact, said he was seeking a maximum award of two years' salary due to his treatment by the airline, the fact he had to start at the 'bottom rung' in his new job, and compensation for the move to Dubai.
Mr Peard worked for Ryanair for four years before handing in his notice in June last year.
He said Mr O'Leary had told pilots he was sick of hearing they were working for "Siberian saltmines" and told them to find a job elsewhere if they did not like it.
Mr Peard said animosity between Ryanair and the pilots deepened when the airline announced it was replacing its 737 200 series fleet with an 800 series fleet.
Mr Peard said he was earning between €32,000 and €36,000 when Ryanair put out a press release that said pilots earned about €120,000 a year.
During a meeting with Mr O'Leary, he said he approached him directly to tell him he was struggling financially.
Mr Peard said the CEO did not know who he was but said "you'll have your command within a year", which meant he would get a €30,000 pay rise if promoted to captain.
Ryanair's counsel raised an objection when Mr Peard revealed that pilots were told it had a cash fund close to $1bn.
Ryanair disputes the allegations, claiming Mr Peard left the airline voluntarily to work with Emirates.
- Anne-Marie Walsh Industry Correspondent
