Talks between airline and union on pay rise finish without resolution Aer Lingus pilots could strike to get an improved pay deal. Photo: Getty Holidaymakers have been advised “not to panic” as the chances of an Aer Lingus pilots’ strike intensified yesterday after pay talks ended without a resolution. Talks between Aer Lingus management and a pilot union ended last night without agreement and no further discussions are currently scheduled.
It raises the prospect of strike action within just over a week that would impact tens of thousands of Aer Lingus passengers, including holidaymakers. It is believed there remains a significant gulf between the two sides in terms of their demands. The airline has asked the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) to give it at least 15 days’ notice of any action so it can help affected passengers.
“Aer Lingus met with Ialpa again today for direct discussions with a view to reaching agreement on pilot pay,” said a spokesperson for Aer Lingus yesterday evening. “No meaningful progress was made, with Ialpa continuing to demand an unsustainable level of increase in pilot pay (up to 23.8pc) that was not supported by any increases in productivity or flexibility.
” Ialpa president Mark Tighe said the result of the ballot, where 98pc of members voted in favour of taking industrial action up to and including full withdrawal of labour, showed that Aer Lingus pilots are “determined to secure a fair and reasonable pay rise after ye.