The United Services Union (ver.di) is sharply criticizing the announced closure of Ryanair’s base in Berlin. This decision is yet another example of a ruthless, purely profit-driven corporate strategy that systematically disregards the interests of employees. Dennis Dacke, ver.di’s national head of the air transport and maritime sector, stated: “The planned closure demonstrates once again Ryanair’s maximum profit orientation, where social responsibility plays absolutely no role. Employees are treated like any disposable commodity, while the company bases its location decisions on short-term profit interests.”
Company co-determination
The union finds the company’s handling of employee co-determination particularly worrying. The company didn’t even inform the local works council about the closure. Union representative Dacke stated that Ryanair has been systematically obstructing and discrediting the Berlin works council for years: “Instead of respecting the employees’ representation, the company resorts to intimidation and denunciation. This is unacceptable. Now, more than ever, we need a strong works council that consistently represents the interests of our colleagues.” ver.di announced that it would fully support and strengthen the local works council. The union will work to ensure that co-determination rights are consistently enforced and that employees retain a strong voice.
Binding social plans demanded
In light of the impending consequences of the closure, ver.di is calling for immediate constructive negotiations with Ryanair. “Now is the time to find viable and fair solutions for the approximately 500 affected employees,” Dacke stated. “Everything must be done to avoid social hardship and create new prospects for our colleagues.” From the union’s perspective, this includes, in particular, binding social plans that mitigate the resulting hardships, as well as offers of continued employment within the Ryanair Group in Germany with equivalent working conditions.
ver.di announced that it would attend the first round of negotiations offered by Ryanair next Tuesday (April 28, 2026). “We expect Ryanair to live up to its responsibilities, not to stall for time, and to be willing and able to engage in serious discussions about socially responsible solutions,” said Dacke.
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