Pilots union to suspend ongoing industrial action at Aer Lingus as it recommends accepting Labour Court pay deal

This came as Ialpa’s executive has tonight voted to recommend Aer Lingus pilots accept the Labour Court recommendation that could end a dispute at Aer Lingus.

The Labour Court recommended a 17.75pc pay rise for the pilots.

IALPA president Mark Tighe described the pay increase provided for in the Labour Court’s recommendation as a significant win for pilots.

Ialpa’s executive met tonight and passed a motion to recommend acceptance of the court’s recommendation.

This followed a response from the court to queries raised by Ialpa in relation to the document.

An Ialpa spokesperson said it will hold a series of engagements with members before a ballot on the terms of the recommendation in the coming week.

The spokesperson said the move to recommend acceptance came following the communication from the Labour Court and “further clarification” from Aer Lingus.

It is understood that the clarification from Aer Lingus says “normal industrial relations” that existed prior to the dispute will resume.

The clarification says “no new action will be taken against pilots in relation to the dispute from the date of recommendation to accept”.

Sources said this may refer to disciplinary procedures brought against pilots since the work to rule began.

An Aer Lingus spokesperson said it welcomes Forsa’s/Ialpa’s recommendation of acceptance of the Labour Court recommendation and its decision to discontinue the industrial action.

“We look forward to Ialpa completing the balloting process as soon as possible,” she said.

Taoiseach Simon Harris has welcomed decision to accept the Labour Court proposal for pay rises in the Aer Lingus dispute, saying: “This is a very positive development for the travelling public and our tourism sector.

“I have consistently stated that compromise and engagement was the only way forward.”

Aer Lingus has cancelled 25 flights on Monday 15 and Tuesday, July 16, as a result of the work-to-rule.

“Customers impacted by these latest cancellations will be given the option to change their flights for free. They will also be able to claim a refund or voucher,” it said in a statement.

“These options will be communicated directly to impacted customers as well as travel agents, while the Aer Lingus ‘Travel Advisory’ page will also have up to the minute information on all the options.

“Aer Lingus fully understands the anxiety being experienced by customers given the uncertainty caused by Ialpa’s industrial action and is giving impacted customers as many options as possible.”

It is understood that Ialpa and Aer Lingus have received a response from the court to a number of issues raised by the pilots that relate to their understanding of the document.

Suspending action during consultations with union members is considered the norm in industrial disputes.

An electronic ballot is not due to begin until the court’s response is received, and five days of consultations with Ialpa members have taken place.

The ballot may take another three days following this.

It comes as a fresh wave of flight cancellations are expected to be announced by Aer ­Lingus today, as the result of a pilots’ ballot that could end a pay row during peak holiday season may not be known for over a week.

It comes after it emerged that it will take much longer than expected before the outcome of a pilots’ ballot on a new Labour Court pay proposal is known.

The pay dispute has already hit more than 80,000 passengers, with 548 flights cancelled up until Sunday, July 14.

Todays News in 90 Seconds – 10th July 2024

The phasing of the pay rises that are proposed are a total of 5.75pc made up of 2pc backdated to January 1 last year, 1.75pc backdated to July 1 last year and 2pc since October 1 last year. In addition, the pilots would get a total of 5pc in two phases this year, 3pc in one instalment next year, and 4pc in two phases in 2026.

Aer Lingus has already accepted the court’s recommendation.