SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 6-K
Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the month of June 2008
RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC
(Translation of registrant's name into English)
c/o Ryanair Ltd Corporate Head Office
Dublin Airport
County Dublin Ireland
(Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F..X.. Form 40-F.....
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934.
Yes ..... No ..X..
If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant
in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- ________
RYANAIR TO
SUE
FRENCH UNION
FOR UNLAWFUL STRIKE IN
CARCASSONNE
Ryanair, Europe's leading low fares airline, today
(
Monday, 2
nd
June 2008
)
announced
that it
has filed
legal proceedings for damages against French trade union
,
Confederation General de Travail (CGT).
These proceedings arise from
losses suffered during last weekend'
s
unlawful
strike
s
(Saturday 24
th
to Monday 26
th
May)
by members of the union employed in
check-in
,
security
and fuelling
duties
at
Carcassonne Airport.
One such instance involved the decision by a fueller to go on strike as a
Ryanair aircraft was on approach to
the airport
, necessitating the diversion of the aircraft to
Perpignan
and consequently that aircraft and two subsequent flights were unable
to transport the return passengers.
These damages arise from compensation claims filed by passengers whose
flights were
delayed or cancelled
as a result of this
unlawful
strike and further
costs
suffered
by Ryanair in flying empty aircraft back to
London,
Dublin
and
Charleroi.
Co
nfirming
these proceedings, Ryanair's Deputy
CEO
, Michael Cawley, said
:
"
The action by the striking workers at Carcassonne Airport was
unlawful,
unwarranted
and caused
considerable
hardship for our passengers as well
as
significant costs for them and for the airline.
The
fueller
in
Carcassonne
walk
ed
off
the job
just
as
a Ryanair
aircraft
was on approach to landing
at
the airport
. This type
of anarchy
highlights the flagrant
dis
r
egard which the union's members
have for the travelling
public
in
C
arcassonne
.
Prior to Ryanair arriving at
Carcassonne Airport seven
years ago there were no passengers
at
airport. Consequently, there was no employment
for many of these
union
members who
now
mistakenly believe that they can simply walk off the
job with no notice and thereby
stran
d hundreds of passengers at the
airport
.
“Ryanair and its passengers are not prepared to suffer the costs of
these unlawful and unwarranted actions. The European Union claims that airlines can
recover costs for these unlawful disruptions and it’s about time that this
law was tested. We do not wish to deprive individuals of their right to strike.
However, if they wish to go on strike then they should give airlines and passengers
sufficient notice to allow for alternative plans to be made. We do not believe that
it is fair, reasonable or lawful that airport employees simply walk off the job and
endanger the safety of passengers and aircraft as they are coming in to land at
Carcassonne.
"
W
e
are
this week
fil
ing
papers in a lawsuit against
CGT
, the trade union to which the
s
trikers belong
seeking damages and an undertaking that future strikes will take place
only afte
r adequate notice has been
given
to airlines
and passengers at
Carcassonne
"
.
Ends
Monday, 2
nd
June 2008
For reference:
Lorna Farren
Pauline McAlester
Ryanair
Murray Consultants
Tel: 00 353 1 812 1
271
Tel: 00 353 1 4980
300
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has
duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly
authorized.
RYANAIR HOLDINGS PLC
Date: 02 June, 2008
By:___/s/ James Callaghan____
James Callaghan
Company Secretary & Finance Director