Pilots' union seeks clarification on Labour Court recommendation
Pilots Farrell/© Terminal Of T2 The Work Irish Towards The Air Members At Dublin Line During (ialpa), Aer Pilots, Airport The File Stoppage Ie Leah Picture: Rollingnews March Recent Lingus A Association
The Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) will seek clarification from the Labour Court on aspects of its recommendation aimed at resolving the long-running dispute, it has emerged.
On Monday, the Court recommended that Aer Lingus pilots receive 17.75% pay rise, having considered the case put forward by both sides last week.
Aer Lingus accepted this recommendation.
It’s understood that the IALPA executive has asked for clarifications on the recommendations, with a decision to follow once it has considered the matter.
It is expected that a ballot of members would then follow to see if they ratify the deal, which has already been accepted by Aer Lingus.
If passed it will see an end to the long-running and bitter dispute over pay from pilots at the airline. The industrial action has already seen the cancelling of hundreds of flights and affected tens of thousands of passengers.
Pilots had been seeking a 24% rise they said is in line with inflation since their last pay increase, while Aer Lingus had offered 12.25% along with requests for more productivity from workers.
The pay increase recommended by the independent Labour Cour is just under 18% over a number of years, with incremental rises starting from 1 January 2023 and concluding in July 2026. It also recommended an increase of pilots’ overnight allowance by 10% now, and a further 5% in October 2025.
The work-to-rule action from pilots has continued, even after the Labour Court recommendation issued on Monday.
The Labour Court noted that a “very grave and unfavourable outcome” was possible from this dispute unless a resolution was found in the short term.
It said that, even with the face-to-face talks that had taken place, there had been “no discernible narrowing of the gap” between the parties on key positions.
On Monday evening, Aer Lingus said it was accepting the Labour Court's proposal after reviewing the final recommendation.
“The airline will have to consider the longer-term implications of implementing the recommendation and of this dispute which has been enormously damaging both financially and reputationally,” it said.
“Aer Lingus encourages Fórsa/IALPA and pilots to accept the recommendation of the Labour Court and end their industrial action.
“We would like to thank the Labour Court for its work in issuing both its interim and final recommendations.”