Talks between Aer Lingus and pilots to resume to avoid strike

Strike is now a strong possibility in the key summer period when Irish holidaymakers take off, and Ireland welcomes many foreign tourists

The pilots' union Ialpa said talks ended when Aer Lingus indicated that no further discussion could take place without pilots agreeing to productivity changes. Picture: Larry Cummins

Talks between Aer Lingus pilots and the airline will resume on Wednesday morning to avoid the possibility of industrial action.

The pilots’ union, Ialpa, has been in a lengthy pay dispute with the company for a number of months.

Last week, Ialpa members voted overwhelmingly to reject a Labour Court recommendation of a 9.25% pay rise, which was significantly below the almost 24% increase they were seeking.

In a memo to its members, the union said the talks ended when Aer Lingus indicated that no further discussion could take place without pilots 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. IALPA views direct negotiations as the best way forward considering 20 months of process has concluded without agreement,” the union said.

Ialpa is now balloting members on the issue of industrial action with a result expected on Wednesday.

In a statement on Tuesday, Aer Lingus confirmed that no significant progress was made, saying Ialpa was demanding an “unsustainable level of increase in pilot pay [in excess of 20%] that was not supported by any increases in productivity or flexibility.”

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

However, on Tuesday evening Aer Lingus requested that both parties meet again on Wednesday morning for further discussion which Ialpa has agreed to.