Ryanair has been accused of union-busting after the dismissal of three union leaders - Matteo Pizzolato, Andrea Schiraldi, Izhar Arcos Poveda – by Buzz (part of Ryanair Group) on 29 May 2020 in Czechia. According to public reports, the three union leaders were dismissed the day after they informed Ryanair of the existence of the newly formed cabin crew union B.United and requested a meeting to discuss working conditions and contracts.

The union described Ryanair’s actions as a “direct attack on the right to organise of all Ryanair workers and as an extreme intimidation tactic” and has undertaken to oppose what it describes as Ryanair’s “unlawful actions” with the assistance of Odborový svaz dopravy, the Czech transport federation.

Business & Human Rights Resource Centre invited Ryanair to respond to the allegations. In its response, Ryanair cited COVID-19 as the reason for Buzz deciding to terminate the contracts of 20 Prague-based cabin crew employees. The full response is included below.