Over the weekend, Aer Lingus cautioned its pilots that personal liability might be imposed upon them for any financial losses to the airline if they didn’t fulfill their roster duties prior to initiating industrial action on Wednesday.
The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) members at Aer Lingus intend to initiate rule following from June 26th and an eight-hour strike from 5am to 1pm next Saturday, June 29th. The drive for a salary increase of 23.88 per cent, thought to make up for inflation since 2019, is behind these actions. In response, airline management has decided to cancel over 240 flights in the ensuing week.
Adrian Dunne, the airline’s chief operations officer, dispatched a letter to pilots stating that the airline anticipates them working in accordance with their live rosters, inclusive of any suggested changes, until 12:01 am on Wednesday when their industrial action is set to start.
The airline cautioned pilots of potential personal liability for losses in the event of any ‘unofficial’ action prelude to rule implementation. This stern warning from the airline comes amidst accusations from the Ialpa head of the airline intensifying the conflict with a ‘hostility campaign’ against its members.
Under Irish law, employees can only strike or commence any industrial action after following certain processes, including putting the proposal up for secret voting and providing their employers seven days notice. Any actions not in line with these guidelines are labeled as ‘unofficial’, allowing companies the right to make unions or individual employees responsible for sustained losses.
From Wednesday onwards, pilots are set to refuse to operate beyond their stipulated hours or accept changes in their rosters, thereby causing a disruption for Aer Lingus at this peak operational period.
The proposed flight cancellations by the airline are an effort to mitigate this issue by maintaining the maximum number of flights feasible and minimising the likelihood of abrupt disturbances.
Moreover, the company asserted through Mr Dunne’s letter that it will demand medical certification from the very first day of any sick leaves availed by pilots.
Aer Lingus has attributed a total of 56 flight cancellations since the beginning of the year to pilot illness, which has become a source of contention between the airline and its staff. The airline suggests that this is a form of unsanctioned activity. Contrarily, IALPA has vehemently repudiated this claim, stating that the airline is understaffed and does not have sufficient pilots to maintain its flight timetable.
In the course of the industrial unrest, Aer Lingus has plans to deprive pilots and their families of flight benefits. IALPA’s president, Captain Mark Tighe, has shed light on the issue this week. He proclaimed that the airline is involved in a “campaign of antagonism” towards pilots, including issuing legal threats among others.
Captain Tighe furtheroutlined that the union’s aim is to negotiate a fair pay rise in relation to inflation and salaries being offered by other airlines across Europe.
To safeguard their customers during the industrial unrest that will commence on the 26th of June, Aer Lingus has communicated to its pilots about its provisional measures. These measures include providing passengers who have bookings between June 26th and July 2nd the liberty to cancel their flights and receive a full refund or amend their travels free of any charges.
However, Aer Lingus Regional flights serviced under the franchise of Emerald Airlines and transatlantic flights from its Manchester base will remain unaffected and continue to function as usual.