ver.di sharply criticizes the closure of the Ryanair base in Berlin
The United Services Trade Union (ver.di) has strongly criticized the announced closure of Ryanair’s base in Berlin. The decision is yet another example of a ruthless, purely profit-driven corporate strategy in which the interests of employees are systematically disregarded. Dennis Dacke, ver.di Federal Head of Aviation and Maritime Economy, stated:
“The planned closure once again demonstrates Ryanair’s extreme profit orientation, in which social responsibility plays no role whatsoever. Employees are treated as a disposable resource, while the company aligns its location decisions with short-term profit interests.”
From the union’s perspective, the company’s handling of co-determination is particularly alarming. The company did not even inform the local works council about the closure. The works council in Berlin has reportedly been systematically obstructed and discredited by Ryanair for years, said union representative Dacke:
“Instead of respecting employee representation, the company relies on intimidation and denunciation. This is unacceptable. Especially now, a strong works council is needed to consistently represent the interests of employees.”
ver.di announced that it will support and strengthen the local works council with all available means. The union will work to ensure that co-determination rights are fully enforced and that employees retain a strong voice.
In view 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 explained. “Every effort must be made to avoid social hardship and to create new prospects for our colleagues.”
According to the union, this includes in particular binding social plans to mitigate hardship, as well as offers for continued employment within the Ryanair Group in Germany under equivalent working conditions.
ver.di also announced that it will attend an initial negotiation meeting offered by Ryanair next Tuesday (April 28, 2026).
“We expect Ryanair to live up to its responsibility, not to stall, and to engage in serious discussions aimed at socially responsible solutions,” said Dacke.
