The Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) announced on Wednesday night that it is suspending its industrial action and endorsing the Labour Court's recommended pay deal with Aer Lingus.
“Aer Lingus welcomes Forsa’s / IALPA’s recommendation of acceptance of the Labour Court recommendation and its decision to discontinue the industrial action," the airline said in a statement late on Wednesday, July 10.
“We look forward to IALPA completing the balloting process as soon as possible.”
IALPA said in a statement on Wednesday evening: "IALPA, the professional body for Irish airline pilots, and a branch of Fórsa trade union, has voted to recommend acceptance of the Labour Court Recommendation 23007, concerning the current dispute between IALPA and Aer Lingus.
"The pilot body will move immediately to suspend ongoing work-to-rule action, in place since 26th June, pending the outcome of a ballot."
IALPA had been seeking a pay rise of nearly 24% to take account of inflation since their last wage increase in 2019. Aer Lingus, however, had said it could not go beyond the 12.5% increase agreed upon with cabin and ground crews without greater productivity from pilots.
On June 26, IALPA commenced work-to-rule industrial action, and staged an eight-hour pilot's strike on June 29, in response to the ongoing pay dispute.
The industrial action prompted Aer Lingus to cancel more than 500 flights. The airline had announced earlier on Wednesday that a further 25 flights were being canceled for next week and said it expected to announce further cancelations on Thursday, though that could now change in light of the suspension of the industrial action.
As of Wednesday evening, it remains unclear if the suspension of the pilots' industrial action will impact the flights that had already been canceled between July 11 and July 16.
On Monday, Aer Lingus said it will accept the Irish Labour Court's final recommendation, which, according to RTÉ News, is to increase pilots' pay by 17.75% over a four-year period from January 1, 2023, to the end of December 2026.
Aer Lingus encouraged the pilots' union to also accept the court's recommendations, however, IALPA sought further clarification on a number of elements in the recommendations, which they are believed to have now received.
IALPA executives met on Wednesday where it was decided that they would endorse the Labour Court's recommendations.
The union will now host a number of engagements where pilots can learn more about the court's recommendations and ask questions before the matter is put to a ballot.
According to RTÉ News, the ballot is due to open on Thursday, July 18 close on Tuesday, July 23.
IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe said on Wednesday: "This achievement was secured by the determination and unity shown by our members.
"In addition to this, we achieved a return to the 2019 pay scale which means new staff will increase their pay by an additional 10%.
"That means the lowest paid pilots will enjoy salary increases of almost 30%."
Meanwhile, Taoiseach Simon Harris also welcomed the news on Wednesday evening, deeming it a "positive development."
I welcome the decision by IALPA to suspend industrial action and recommend acceptance of the Labour Court proposal. This is a very positive development for the travelling public & our tourism sector. I have consistently stated that compromise & engagement was the only forward. https://t.co/eroR0OL5nB
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) July 10, 2024
Comments