Aer Lingus has provided an update after meeting with the Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) today, Thursday, June 27.
“Aer Lingus engaged constructively in today’s meeting with IALPA / Fórsa in order to try to find a resolution to the pay dispute with IALPA," a spokesperson for the airline said on Thursday.
"The airline sought to discuss issues involving improvements to productivity and flexibility including modernisation of agreements that could help build a pay increase for pilots beyond the 12.25% increase that had been agreed with all other collectively bargained groups.
"The discussions did not progress to a point where a resolution could be reached and they were ended by IALPA.
"IALPA indicated that it did not have a mandate from its members to discuss productivity and flexibility– matters which are essential in any pay negotiations.
"Aer Lingus suggested to IALPA that it should consider taking steps to adjust its mandate so that meaningful discussions on pilot pay can take place.
"Pilots are on strike for 8 hours on Saturday 29th – it would seem that this would be an opportune time for IALPA to meet pilots to adjust IALPA’s mandate so that it is capable of engaging in meaningful negotiations that can resolve this dispute.
"The Labour Court indicated to both parties on 25th June that it would respond positively to a joint referral of the dispute to the Labour Court for its assistance. In this context, Aer Lingus is willing to proceed with a formal joint referral to the Labour Court and calls on Fórsa to agree to such a formal joint referral.”
The PA reports that IALPA president Mark Tighe said after Thursday's meetings: “At this point, talks have broken down."
He also said chances of IALPA escalating its industrial action are "high."
Meanwhile, Aer Lingus chief corporate affairs officer Donal Moriarty said: “We’ve canceled flights out to July 2. We’re currently assessing whether the strike and the industrial action is requiring further cancellations out to 3, 4, and 5 of July.”
On Tuesday, Aer Lingus executives attended the Labour Court, while members of IALPA and its umbrella union Fórsa attended later that day.
A spokesperson for Aer Lingus said later on Tuesday that the airline is "disappointed" that following the meetings, the Labour Court's "assessment is that it is unable to assist in the dispute at this time."
Also on Tuesday, Aer Lingus announced that it was canceling 50 flights for Monday, July 1 and Tuesday, July 2 in addition to the flights that had already been canceled for June 26 - June 30 "in order to continue to protect as many services as possible from the impact of IALPA’s continuing industrial action."
IALPA commenced its indefinite 'work-to-rule' industrial action yesterday, Wednesday, Jun 26. Pilots will additionally be striking from 5 am to 1 pm Irish time this Saturday, June 29.
As per the airline's Travel Advisory page, Aer Lingus says it plans "to operate the majority of our schedule and have taken steps to minimize disruption.
"The nature of this industrial action may lead to further cancellations and delays and we will communicate directly with impacted customers as soon as possible."
It noted that all Aer Lingus Regional flights, operated by Emerald Airlines, and Aer Lingus UK transatlantic flights to and from Manchester will operate as scheduled.
Customers whose flights are impacted will be communicated to directly via email/SMS, or through their travel agent, advising of their options.
Aer Lingus said it will endeavor to "re-accommodate customers where possible" but acknowledged that "the levels of disruption may not make this possible."
Customers with bookings for travel between June 26 and July 2 have the option to change flights or request refunds or vouchers.
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