German pilot union says it's nearing deal with Ryanair

BERLIN (AP) — A union representing German pilots says it has reached a preliminary agreement with Ryanair to sign collective labor agreements by early 2019 and that won't be any further strikes until then.

The Ireland-based budget airline has seen strikes by various groups of employees in recent months. Ryanair built its low-cost business model without unions, but said last year that it would recognize them.

Germany's Cockpit union said Tuesday that the two sides intend to sign four agreements based on German labor law by March, and that an employee council will be set up. It added that "until then, no industrial action will be taken."

The union said that, by February, all pilots based in Germany will be subject to contracts under German rather than Irish law.