Aer Lingus and pilots union set for fresh talks as strike ballot result nears

Aer Lingus and pilots union Ialpa are to meet again on Wednesday, in an effort to avert a possible round of strikes at the carrier.

Holidaymakers are facing a possible Aer Lingus strike during the key period of summer travel as pilots vote on industrial action in a row with the airline.

The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) began balloting members in the airline last week. That vote will conclude on Wednesday, at which point a result will be known. Sources on both sides expect Ialpa members to conclusively back their union’s call for industrial action.

Talks between the two sides aimed at securing a deal and avoiding industrial action ended shortly after 2.30pm on Tuesday, after which Aer Lingus said “no significant progress was made”.

Still, last night Ialpa told its members the carrier had requested more talks today, and it had accepted.

Earlier, the airline said Ialpa was “demanding an unsustainable level of increase” in pilot pay in excess of 20 per cent. It added this was “not supported by any increases in productivity or flexibility”.

[ Aer Lingus pilots told to accept pay deal or face investment freeze ]

“Aer Lingus offered to request the support of the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) in order to further explore solutions,” said the airline. “This offer was rejected by Ialpa, and they ended the discussions.”

Ialpa said it had “concluded talks” with the airline after it had indicated that “no further discussion could take place without Ialpa agreeing to productivity changes to increase the pay offer”.

“Aer Lingus expressed a wish to return to a third party mediator or the WRC, which was rejected by Ialpa in favour of direct negotiations,” the union said.

“Ialpa views direct negotiations as the best way forward, considering 20 months of process has concluded without agreement.”

Ialpa previously confirmed it is recommending that pilots “vote in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action”.

The dispute threatens uncertainty for Irish holidaymakers and overseas tourists as Aer Lingus flies millions of passengers between this country, Europe and North America every summer.

Should pilots back industrial action, they could opt for an initial one-day strike by the end of this month or in early July.

Before that, pilots could observe a work to rule, meaning they operate strictly according to their contracts. This would limit the airline’s flexibility at a time when pressure on its resources is high, potentially leading to some cancellations or delays.

Any form of industrial action will require seven days’ notice from the union to the company.

Ialpa president Captain Mark Tighe has previously said offers made to pilots so far had failed to reflect the airline’s “enormous” profits, which were €225 million last year.

[ More than 40 flights to and from Irish airports cancelled due to French strikes ]

“Ialpa is seeking a pay increase of 23.8 per cent over three years, which is clearly reasonable and affordable for a profitable company such as Aer Lingus,” Capt Tighe said.

He maintained that pilots had made huge sacrifices in pay and conditions during the pandemic.

Aer Lingus previously branded the ballot unnecessary, and warned it would disrupt passengers and other workers.

“The Labour Court issued an interim recommendation which was accepted by Aer Lingus and outlined a clear path forward for continued engagement on pilot pay with a view to resolving it,” said the airline.

Aer Lingus has said Ialpa sought an effective 27 per cent increase while rejecting a three-year company pay tribunal offer, worth 12.25 per cent, with a 1.5 per cent bonus, to which other workers have agreed.

The airline has challenged Ialpa’s position that pilots have not had their pay increased since 2019, and said they received increments each year since then. “Pilots at the airline are already very well paid,” it argued.