Aer Lingus pilots vote to accept 17.75% pay rise

Industrial action had been suspended by the union almost two weeks ago after its executive told members it should back the deal. File picture: Colin Keegan, Collins Dublin

Aer Lingus pilots have voted to back a new pay deal, marking the end of the long-running dispute between the airline and the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (Ialpa).

Ballots closed at 9am on Tuesday for Ialpa members, with pilots voting to back the 17.75% pay rise recommended by the Labour Court by 85% on a 96% turnout.

Industrial action had been suspended by the union almost two weeks ago after its executive told members it should back the deal. However, given Aer Lingus had been cancelling services in advance during the ongoing work-to-rule, normal service only resumed at the airline last Wednesday.

Ialpa president Mark Tighe welcomed the deal saying: "This is the greatest pay award seen in 30 years for Aer Lingus pilots. Throughout negotiations, management were seeking work practice changes to fund our pay award.

“However, no work practice changes were conceded in this pay dispute, nor will they be in the future.

“Companies making significant profits must ensure that their employees’ remuneration reflects the success of the company, and their salaries are protected from inflation.” 

He added: “It is disappointing that Aer Lingus did not conclude an agreement with Ialpa during the 22 months preceding the Labour Court recommendation.

“Ialpa believes that the industrial action which affected our passengers was wholly avoidable.” 

Speaking on RTÉ radio's Today with Claire Byrne, Captain Tighe said it was clear that management at Aer Lingus had destroyed the relationship with their pilots and it remained to be seen if it could be rebuilt.

Any efforts to restore the relationship would be gratefully received by pilots but they must be real and meaningful, he said.

“Throughout negotiations, management were seeking work practice changes to fund our pay award,” he said. “Companies making significant profits must ensure that their employees' remuneration reflects the success of the company, and their salaries are protected from inflation.

“It is disappointing that Aer Lingus did not conclude an agreement with IALPA during the 22 months preceding the Labour Court recommendation. IALPA believes that the industrial action which affected our passengers was wholly avoidable.” 

Captain Tighe estimated that the pay deal will cost the airline less than € 30m per year. The pay deal will ensure that all pilots will be 19.2% better off in two year’s time, while all new pilots and those in the bottom 20% will be 30% better off.

In a brief statement, the airline said: “Aer Lingus welcomes the outcome of the ballot which has accepted the Labour Court recommendation.”

Pilots had sought an almost 24% increase they said was in line with inflation since their last pay rise in 2019. Aer Lingus, however, had said it was willing to offer 12.25% and above if improvements to “productivity and flexibility” were on the table.

During the impasse, efforts to bring the two sides together failed to yield a breakthrough until a Labour Court hearing in early July. It recommended a 17.75% pay increase for pilots through to 2026, along with changes to pay scales and increases to overnight allowances.

The Labour Court noted in its recommendation that there could be a “very grave and unfavourable outcome” to the dispute should a resolution not be found. It was critical of both sides for laying “significant emphasis on the differences between the parties” rather than focusing on positions they did agree on.

Aer Lingus said that same evening they would accept the terms of the recommendation. Iapla's executive first sought clarity on aspects of the recommendation from the Labour Court, before also recommending its members accept the deal.

The move on Tuesday was welcomed by the Irish Travel Agents’ Assocation which hailed it as a positive move for passengers.

"It is a good day for the travelling public," its CEO Clare Dunne said. "This is a very positive development for intending travellers and the tourism sector.”