Talks will resume later this morning between Aer Lingus management and pilots in a bid to resolve a pay dispute that could lead to strike action at the airline.
Yesterday members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) at Aer Lingus voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, up to and including the withdrawal of labour.
The President of IALPA, Captain Mark Tighe, said members will announce in due course what action this will include but he said they want to avoid industrial action which could lead to widespread travel disruption for holidaymakers this summer.
“The result of this ballot shows the resolve and determination of our members to get a fair share of the large profits that Aer Lingus are making,” Captain Tighe said.
Last week, IALPA members voted overwhelmingly to reject a Labour Court recommendation that pilots should receive pay increases totalling 9.25% as part of an interim settlement.
The figure was well below the 23.8% that the pilots had been seeking.
The impact of strike action at Aer Lingus by members of IALPA would have a “severe impact” on customers, the airline’s Chief Corporate Affairs Officer Donal Moriarty, has said.
“We’ve got many pilots in Aer Lingus and they are truly valued colleagues, but they are paid very well for the work that they do, and they’re paid in line with the market,” Mr Moriarty said.
“The increases being sought by IALPA are exorbitant and frankly, untenable,” he added.
IALPA has said that previous pay offers do not reflect the impact of inflation, the large profits being made by Aer Lingus, or the sacrifices made by pilots during the pandemic in order to save the company.
Aer Lingus has described the IALPA ballot as entirely unnecessary warning that industrial action would be disruptive to the airline’s customers and other employees.
The company has accused IALPA of failing to engage in various independent processes in a responsible manner, and has claimed that the union’s stance risks investment, growth and jobs in the airline.
Aer Lingus has said that it has lost the opportunity to secure two new Airbus aircraft from its parent IAG due to the uncertainty caused by the ongoing pay dispute.
The Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has called for a resolution to the Aer Lingus pilots dispute.
“The ITAA is urging Aer Lingus and unions to reach a resolution and avoid any disruptive strike action,” said Angela Walsh, President of the ITAA.
“Travel agents are on the front line when strikes, cancellations and other disruptions occur and are the first port of call for customers.”
“While we are always happy to minimise all disruption for our customers, we urge the airline and greater travel industry to put the consumer first in an effort to avoid such disruption to travel plans,” Ms Walsh said.
