Accusations are flying against Aer Lingus from the trade union representing its pilots, contending that the airlines is aiming to undermine its bargaining strength previous to a Labour Court proceeding related to a wage disagreement slated for Monday.
The Irish airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) has been deadlocked in a dispute since January over their demands for pay raises which exceed 20 per cent from Aer Lingus.
Union president Mark Tighe accuses management of trying to undermine the union’s bargaining power. His correspondence to members as they brace for the Labour Court confrontation mentions Aer Lingus reaching out to union members individually on this matter, a move he describes as useless against their united front.
Tighe reassures that their executive body intends to relentlessly pursue a basic wage hike mirroring the substantial cost of living increases and the pay scenario across other European airlines. The union-represented pilots rejected an 8.5 per cent raise proposed by an internal pay tribunal set up by Aer Lingus earlier in the year. According to the union, pilots have seen no wage increment since 2019, even though living expenses have surged 19 per cent over the prior five years.
While Aer Lingus remained tight-lipped as the week ended, they reject the union’s stance and assert that the pilot’s remuneration exceeds competition. In the face of this row, its parent company, International Airlines’ Group (IAG) is anticipated to reassign fresh aircraft intended for their Irish subsidiary to alternate establishments.
As far as Tighe is concerned, the anticipated profit surge at Aer Lingus could facilitate the acquisition of more aircraft and equally ensure a substantial raise for the pilots. “Ialpa eagerly awaits presenting our case at the Labour Court, staking our claims through a comprehensive dossier showcasing pay raises across national workforce as well as the British and European pilot market,” he states.
On a related note, internal union data reveal lower-priced carrier EasyJet matching terms with the British Airline Pilots’ Association and agreeing to a 15 per cent raise for all variable pay, effective from April 1st, inclusive of other benefits. The British union surmises this to be an effective 21.4 compound rise. Included in this data is the fact that British operator Virgin Atlantic has consented to a minimum average wage rise of 29.1 per cent.
Aer Lingus has stated that its pilots’ financial compensation outstrips that of many competing airlines. Initial salaries for co-pilots are reported to start around €59,000 annually, rising to as much as €185,000 for head pilots.
Nonetheless, the pilots’ union, Ialpa, contests that the airline has overlooked the significant role its members played in maintaining the company’s stability during government-imposed travel restrictions due to the pandemic. The union suggests a pay cut of approximately 70% was taken by pilots, in spite of the airline management asserting that the base rate was only cut by half.
Furthermore, Aer Lingus maintains that in 2019, during the peak summer period, additional flexibility was granted for pilots’ leave. The airline believes this move, supported by the union, ought to be factored in when the next pay increase is determined by the Aer Lingus pay tribunal.
Previous efforts to settle the disagreement prior to this week’s Labour Court hearing have been unsuccessful, despite negotiations occurring earlier in the month and previous consultations facilitated by the Workplace Relations Commission.
To secure the delivery of the first of six new Airbus jets promised by IAG, Aer Lingus was hoping to conclude the conflict by the end of the current month. The plan was for the aircraft to commence operations in September.