Summary

  • High chance of Aer Lingus pilot strike after failed pay negotiations.
  • Aer Lingus challenged the IALPA electronic vote; IALPA opted for a paper ballot.
  • Disruption expected as majority of IALPA members are Aer Lingus pilots.

Aer Lingus pilots are preparing to reveal the outcome of their second paper ballot on whether to go on strike.

The new vote was conducted following the airline’s challenge of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) electronic ballot, which recently showed 98% of Aer Lingus pilots supporting strike action. In a statement to The Irish Independent, a spokesperson for Aer Lingus said:

“Aer Lingus queried the validity of Ialpa conducting a ballot for industrial action via electronic means, having regard to the statutory requirements for secrecy and the provisions of the Ialpa constitution.”

The Irish national carrier is aware that Aer Lingus pilots who are members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) are re-conducting the vote using a paper ballot. Nevertheless, Aer Lingus is now expressing concerns about the pace of the ongoing pilot strike ballot, according to a report by RTE.

The pilot strike probability is high

Aer Lingus pilots are likely to stage industrial action after pay talks last week ended without any progress being made.

Negotiations started on Tuesday morning and reportedly wrapped up by 14:30 without reaching a resolution. According to Aer Lingus, the union is seeking a pay raise of over 20%, which the airline deems unsustainable.

Aer Lingus A330-302 EI-EIL

Aer Lingus further stated that IALPA terminated the discussions despite proposals to involve a third-party mediator. Additionally, the airline noted that the union declined proposals to enhance productivity or flexibility in exchange for their requests.

IALPA has turned down the Labour Court’s suggestion of a 9.25% pay hike in an interim agreement. Instead, the union is pursuing a 23.8% increase in pay, citing that its pilots have not received a salary raise since 2019. According to IALPA:

“Aer Lingus expressed a wish to return to a third party mediator or the Workplace Relations Commission, which was rejected by Ialpa in favour of direct negotiations. IALPA views direct negotiations as the best way forward considering 20 months of process has concluded without agreement.”

Massive impact

Founded in 1946 to oversee labor relations between workers and employers, the IALPA has expanded to encompass more than 1200 members not only in Ireland but also throughout Europe.

Aer Lingus Airbus A330-300 landing in San Francisco

Photo: Vincenzo Pace | Simple Flying

However, the majority of IALPA’s members are Aer Lingus pilots. This makes the prospect of a strike particularly disruptive to the airline’s operations, especially as we approach the peak summer travel season.

In addition, Aer Lingus has been forced to drop two of its new Airbus A32XLR from its fleet plans this year due to the uncertainty surrounding the strike.

Related

Aer Lingus Pilots Vote To Strike As IAG Reallocates New Airbus A321XLR

The two sides have failed to reach an agreement even with the Irish Labour Court’s involvement.

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