Aer Lingus: pilots consider new work stoppages

A union committee is due to meet on Friday to decide whether to give the green light to a new work stoppage by Aer Lingus pilots in Ireland.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reports that the recommendation for further strike action was made by the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) on Thursday after negotiations between it and Aer Lingus to resolve the ongoing pay dispute failed without success. resolution.

The airline issued an invitation for negotiations with IALPA on Wednesday after pilots began an indefinite work-to-rule strike, meaning they are not working overtime or carrying out overtime work. other tasks outside of working hours.

An eight-hour strike, from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time, is planned for Saturday.

IALPA is demanding a 24% salary increase for its members.

IALPA has recommended to Fórsa that the additional strike be longer than the action planned for Saturday, RTÉ reported.

In the event of a sanction, Fórsa will have to give seven days’ notice to Aer Lingus before pilots can stop work.

Aer Lingus has described the possibility of further strike action as completely inappropriate, RTÉ reported, with the employment tribunal earlier this week asking that the dispute not escalate.

On Thursday, the two sides met for face-to-face talks.

However, they failed to reach an agreement.

IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe confirmed that negotiations had “failed”.

Capt. Tighe said at Thursday’s meeting that the union had exceeded its inflation rate by nearly 24 percent.

“The company has not budged from its statement that anything above 12.25 percent should be funded by the pilots’ own payments as part of their job.”

The total number of flights cancelled due to the current strike, Aer Lingus said, stands at 270.

All Aer Lingus UK regional flights, operated by Emerald Airlines, and Aer Lingus UK transatlantic flights to and from Manchester will operate as scheduled.

In a statement, the airline said: “Aer Lingus will continue to focus on minimising disruption to customers caused by IALPA’s industrial action.”

The airline said it has “made clear that it remains available for discussions both directly and through the state’s industrial relations framework.”

Aer Lingus called on IALPA to “consider the damage its continued industrial action is inflicting on passengers, the airline and the Irish economy”.

A full list of cancelled flights up to and including 2 July is available on the airline’s website.

He said: “The nature of this industrial action may result in further cancellations and delays and we will communicate directly with affected customers as soon as possible.”

Co-pilots can start at around €36,000 (£30,400), with packages increasing depending on actual flying hours.

Irish broadcaster RTÉ reported that a captain at the top of the ladder could be paid around €287,000 (£242,000).

Captain Mark Tighe explained Thursday that it could take up to 26 years.

There are differences for pilots depending on whether the flights are short or long haul.

The airline said passengers booked flights between June 26 and July 2 had a number of options.

Everyone should be contacted by email or SMS, or through their travel agent.

For customers who booked directly with Aer Lingus, it is possible to change their flight online.

The company said it would waive the fare difference and any change fees if a new booking is made for a later date.

There is also the option to request a full refund or a refund voucher, which can be used within five years.

Aer Lingus said passengers who booked through a travel agent or third party should contact those companies directly.

“Unfortunately, Aer Lingus is unable to provide direct assistance in these cases,” Aer Lingus said on its website.