Ryanair maintenance staff at Prestwick Airport have been  sacked after speaking out against a 50 per cent wage cut, it has been claimed. 

The Prestwick Aircraft Maintenance Ltd (PAML) workers, who service Ryanair planes, were allegedly sacked after they raised their grievances about their pay being halved during the coronavirus lockdown.

It is understood wages were in line with the industry average of £38,000.

The workers were also understood to be either on probation or had been there for less than two years - meaning they were not entitled to redundancy pay.

It's claimed they had challenged a decision to implement a wage cut of 50 per cent, while PAML had refused to furlough staff, although other companies including Prestwick Airport, had done so.

Aerospace union Prospect have confirmed almost 20 workers, based at Prestwick Airport in Prestwick, South Ayrshire, have contacted them to say they have received a letter from PAML confirming their contract was being terminated.

READ MORE: Glasgow dad Mike Hanlon on surviving coronavirus isolation

The union have criticised PAML boss Ed Cunningham for not accepting the help that is available for workers - with the option of furlough having been refused.

A letter from PAML to a worker described the wage cut as 'fair, proportionate and equitable'.

The letter read: “I am disappointed by your claims relating to the necessary pay cut when millions of UK citizens have lost their jobs in recent weeks, including today with British Airways announcing 38,000 staff being furloughed because of the crisis, while PAML is still in the fortunate position of providing employment in an essential service.

“The pay cut of 50 per cent is fair, proportionate and equitable response to unprecedented circumstances.”

“I am disappointed by the content of your letter in the middle of this unprecedented crisis.

“I therefore wish to advise you that your probation has been unsuccessful and your contract for employment is terminated.”

Prospect have been left baffled that PAML have continued to operate as normal, as many other aerospace businesses have put staff on furlough.

READ MORE: Help being prepared if prisoners are released early

The union has slammed Mr Cunningham for the dismissal of staff.

Richard Hardy, Prospect’s national secretary for Scotland, said: “What we’re seeing is the dismissals have been of people who are in their probation or staff who have been there less than two years.

“The behaviour is grievous whether it's one or 30 workers that have lost their job, we consider this behaviour to be poor.

“If British Airways is laying off staff onto the Furlough, what makes him think that his work is any more essential?

“We’ve been trying to engage with him.

“We have been trying to get him to close his business and do the right thing.

“He doesn’t think furlough is available to aviation, but Prestwick Airport staff were furloughed, Logan Air have been with Scottish Government help available.”

READ MORE: Glasgow University launches study to understand impact of COVID-19 on mental health

Prospect also fears that continued operations at the site is putting workers still employed at risk.

Mr Hardy said: “I understand how SME businesses owners are feeling.

“There is plenty of assistance out there for them, we are more than happy to work with them.

“But continuing to work, making people sick and ill is wrong.

“If somebody dies, if one of his workforce dies, the consequences for him will be immense.

“What he is seeing is short term and not the medium to long term.

"It seems to be only those who complained about their wages that have been let go, most of them union members.

"He has made an error if he thinks we won't take him to an employment tribunal."      

MFL - PAML and Ryanair have been approached for comment.