Pilots to take pre-emptive strike ballot
Aer Lingus wants to introduce the new conditions as part of its cost-cutting drive under its Plan for Cost Improvement (PCI07).
It would see overtime, annual leave and roster changes. The airline only narrowly averted disruptive strike action at the start of the year by 1,800 SIPTU workers in protest over PCI07.
The 450 pilots, represented by IMPACT, had their case heard by the Labour Court and it recommended former Irish Congress of Trade Unions (ICTU) President Phil Flynn, currently chair of the Aer Lingus pilots pay review, come up with a set of proposals.
His initial recommendations were recently put to both sides and while Aer Lingus is understood to have been broadly in favour, IMPACT said they did not go down well with the pilots. The pilots are also believed to be fearful the firm will go beyond the recommendations. Mr Flynn is due to reveal further proposals shortly.
The airline has already indicated that it wants to roll out PCI07 as early as August 1 and that date in itself has caused consternation for worker unions.
Shay Cody of IMPACT said the pilots had carried out the ballot so they could be ready to take action if the change document is implemented without their agreement.
“We are not saying there is going to be strike in a week’s time or anything. The ballot is to maintain the existing conditions which cannot be changed without agreement.”
According to Industrial Relations News the pilots are significant shareholders in the airline both as part of the employee share ownership plan and their own Tailwind group.
Meanwhile, SIPTU is expected to next week meet the airline for the first time since it announced the August 1 deadline for the introduction of PCI07 and according to Mick Halpenny of the union they will be looking for assurances about the PCI07 date and fears over staffing levels.
