The ongoing pay dispute involving Aer Lingus pilots continued unresolved on Tuesday as leaders of their union sought additional information regarding the proposed pay rise of 17.75 percent to settle the disagreement. The executive meeting of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa), part of trade union Fórsa, ended without any decision regarding the endorsement of a Labour Court suggestion that the company should hike their pay by 17.75 percent.
The airline had previously confirmed their consent to the agreement, which was expected to terminate the disruption that led to the cancellation of 548 flights, disrupting the travel schedules of around 82,000 people. Nevertheless, it has been noted that the Ialpa officials are anticipating the Labour Court’s clarification on certain aspects of its recommendation before taking a resolution on whether to recommend its members to support it by voting.
In case they reject the agreement, it’s probable that the union will escalate their industrial protest at the airline, where pilots are presently declining out of hours work and roster alterations. The union members in Aer Lingus will vote on the agreement once the executive committee takes a decision on whether to endorse the proposal.
Capt Mark Tighe, who is the president of the union, mentioned that industrial action will persist and that the court will be contacted to verify their understanding of a few points of the recommendation. He also added that the union will make sure that the pilots are completely informed of the Labour Court’s advice. It’s important for both parties to consent to the Labour Court’s suggestions to settle the disagreement, as these are not legally binding to either party.
Aer Lingus has urged the union to acknowledge the agreement and stop its industrial protests after consenting to the deal on Monday. The Ialpa has been pushing for pay raises exceeding 20 percent to reimburse its members for inflation, considering that the difference of less than €5 million annually between its demands and the airline’s offer. Both the company and Ialpa representatives spent over three hours at the Labour Court last Wednesday and over nine hours on Monday, July 1. This week the court published its suggestion, expanding pilots’ allowances besides the pay hikes.
The recommendation is for Aer Lingus to boost pilots’ salaries by 17.75% over a period exceeding three years, starting with a retrospective 2% increase from January 2023 and culminating in a final 1% rise commencing on 1st July, 2026. A total of eight payments are involved, inclusive of four retroactive ones that will result in a 10.75% increase by the close of the current year. The residual 7% will be disseminated between January 2025 and July 2026.