Awaiting a crucial judgement from the Labour Court, both parties involved in the Aer Lingus pilots’ wage conflict hope for a resolution to their protracted disagreement. The Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa), under the umbrella of Fórsa trade union, are nearly done with their fortnight of industrial action, pushing for a salary increase of 20 per cent to counter inflation.
Last Wednesday, after more than three hours of discussions at the Labour Court, representatives of Aer Lingus and Ialpa are looking forward to a recommendation that might lead to a truce. Aer Lingus has already scrapped 468 flights until the following Wednesday. Nevertheless, both parties must consent to any suggestions made by the Labour Court for the stand-off to be resolved, as its recommendations are non-mandatory.
The union members will vote on any proposed recommendation, as confirmed by Association Leader Capt Mark Tighe. Further industrial action might occur should the Labour Court’s suggestions not successfully resolve the stand-off.
The dispute received the intervention of the Labour Court, using its powers under industrial relations law, following the unsuccessful attempts to find a resolution. The pilots have observed a work to rule order for nearly two weeks, in addition to an eight-hour strike on June 29th, involving 500 pilots at Dublin airport.
Due to this action, Aer Lingus has had to cancel 548 flights up until July 14th, adversely affecting 82,000 travellers. Ialpa, still holding out for a raise of over 20 per cent to offset inflation, argues that this increase costs under €5 million annually.
The airline, on the other hand, maintains that it cannot afford to provide the pilots with a raise greater than the 12.25 per cent already agreed upon with other cabin and ground crew without the pilots agreeing to work harder.
If Aer Lingus provides any employee group with a pay rise exceeding 12.25% that doesn’t correlate with increased output, the existing contract with the rest of the crew permits them to submit new wage demands.