New fears over Aer Lingus pilots strike asground staff could follow suit

HOLIDAYMAKERS may not be out of the woods yet when it comes to Aer Lingus flight cancellations despite a deal being reached.

Aer Lingus bosses have agreed to the Labour Court’s recommendation of a pay rise of 17.75 per cent.

IALPA, the professional body for Irish airline pilots, voted to recommend accepting a Labour Court deal the pay rise over four years. 

It is understood that the loss of an agreement that provided a work-life balance to cockpit crews has already created some resistance to the agreement.

The union is preparing to ballot its members starting next Thursday.

And while regular flights will resume on Wednesday, fears are now growing that other airline staff could follow in their footsteps.

Aer Lingus could now see a further 1,200 staff take industrial action if pilots back the near 18 per cent pay rise.

As unions have been keeping a close eye on the dispute, officials who represent ground handling staff and cabin crew are now said to be comparing pay rises.

Siptu’s aviation sector organiser Niall Phillips told the Irish Independent that there are possible “knock-on effects” for other staff to take action.

This would include a potential 1.5 per cent increase in pay that would be due on October 1.

A similar payment would also then be due for ground handling staff but only on a once-off basis, Phillips explained.

Added to this, the union could then look into the extension of a ground handling deal which would include two pay rises of a total of 4 per cent.

The three year agreement for ground handling staff expires in 2025.

“There is a possibility that there are extra percentage increases owed to our members as a result of the recommendation”, he said.

“It would appear there are percentages that are over and above our agreement, which at this moment, look like allowing us to get back to the table with Aer Lingus.

“Our members are due a 1.5pc off-scale increase in October. It looks like the pilots will get that on scale. That in itself would bring us back to the table.”

The union is now waiting for the pilots to ballot and their decision will be made based on the outcome.

If they accept, Siptu would then “have a right” to approach Aer Lingus with further pay increases.

Siptu currently represents around 1,200 ground handling staff, including ticket agents, baggage handlers and aircraft cleaners.