Aer Lingus has requested its pilots give at least 15 days’ advance notice for any potential strikes during the summer, as a means to minimise the impact on its customers, especially families travelling during the holiday season. This comes after a large majority of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) members voted for industrial action, involving strikes to support their pay claim, a total increase of 24 per cent over three and a half years.
The airline has expressed concerns over the “devastating impact” such an action could have on its customers during the peak holiday season. While discussions are ongoing to prevent the industrial action, it remains unclear if an agreement will be reached.
In the event of proceeding with the strike, Ialpa would normally be required to give a week’s notice to the airline. The company has conceded to a Labour Court recommendation for an interim package increase of 9.25 per cent, which also appeals for further discussion at the Workplace Relations Commission regarding a broader deal. Ialpa has opposed this recommendation and has denied recent requests to resume discussions with the WRC, with the support of a third party.
Aer Lingus appears to be willing to consider larger pay increases but insists on productivity and workflow alterations as part of the agreement.
Adrian Dunne, the chief operations officer, sent a letter to Mark Tighe, the Ialpa president, earlier this week. The letter recognises the possibility of strikes in the next weeks and requests the union to give a 15-day notice instead of the standard seven. The airline claims that a fortnight’s notice is an international industry norm. Aer Lingus had already informed Ialpa on the 10th June that any work stoppage during this period would create a significant disruption and negatively affect their customers and families during the busy summer holiday season. They asked the union to give a minimum of at least 15 days’ notice, assuming it was determined to pursue strikes.
Aer Lingus is hoping that by giving more notice before industrial action in line with international practices, it could be better prepared to make alternative plans for a larger group of their clientele. They are currently anticipating a response from IALPA regarding this matter.
As for whether the union might grant this request, IALPA has chosen not to make any comment while discussions with the airline are still in progress.
Aer Lingus’s Chief of Corporate Affairs, Donal Moriarty, labelled IALPA’s claims as “exorbitant”. In a quick response to this statement via social media, the General Secretary of Fórsa (a trade union in which IALPA is involved) noted that the term “exorbitant” might be more appropriately applied to the air fare increases post-Covid, or to the airline’s profits. He further added that it was somewhat rich to use the term to describe workers’ attempts to maintain decent living conditions.