Crucial discussions necessary to prevent industrial strikes at Aer Lingus next week are unable to commence immediately as the union representatives have resumed their usual flight responsibilities since Wednesday. Fórsa, the trade union the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) belongs to, indicated to Aer Lingus earlier this week that members would strictly adhere to rules from Wednesday, June 26th while demanding a 24% pay increase. This could potentially disrupt passenger services.
Whilst both parties have expressed willingness to re-engage in conversations, the union’s negotiators recommenced their regular duties on Wednesday, which are projected to take up several days. Consequently, the time available to reach an acceptable compromise that could prevent a rigorous work-to-rule policy and its subsequent effects on travellers, including flight delays or cancellations, is reduced.
Ialpa members attribute this to the airline’s lack of pilots. Members forfeit a day of annual leave for officers to engage in discussions with Aer Lingus. However, due to the said shortage, negotiators are required to be available for flight duties. Aer Lingus firmly denies this claim, noting that in the last year and a half, it has recruited 180 pilots from 4,800 applicants, along with 18 cadets from 6,000 hopefuls.
Aer Lingus proposes the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC), an arm of the state’s mechanism for industrial dispute resolution, to mediate the discussions. However, Ialpa opposes the inclusion of the commission or any other external party, maintaining that previous involvements of such bodies have made recommendations that the executive and members dismissed. Last month, it dismissed the Labour Court’s suggestion of accepting 9.25% pay increases in conjunction with approaching the WRC to solve various deadlock issues. Although earlier conversations within the commission did not resolve the conflict, members earlier in the year voted against the company’s pay tribunal offer of 8.5% inclusive of 12.25% for additional summer leave flexibility.
Ialpa demands a 23.88% salary increase to rectify living cost augmentations, which the company considers unfeasible. Prior to enhancing any present proposal, it encourages further productivity, cutbacks on sumer holidays and certain break clauses.
Analysts caution that the mindsets of both parties have become more rigid over the preceding week. The Labour Court acknowledged last month that the disparity between the duo was “notable”. Concurrently, Aer Lingus is committed to initiating dialogue with passengers ahead of the proposed work to rule next week, which the union asserts will continue indefinitely. The notice from Ialpa also preserves the right for pilots to strike if the disagreement surges. Captain Mark Tighe, the president of the association, cautioned this week, insisting that Aer Lingus administration must modify its stance on remuneration in order to prevent this.