AER Lingus warned of a “devastating impact on customers and families” after pilots voted overwhelmingly for strike action. Industry experts called for an urgent resolution of the row, which is set to hit the travel plans of hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers at the busiest time of the year . The pilots want wage hikes of over 20 percent after rejecting a pay rise of 9 per cent brokered at the Labour Court.
The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) said 97.7 percent of the ballots returned were in favour of industrial action, up to and including strike action. Aer Lingus said a strike would be unnecessary and regrettable, warning: “Aer Lingus wrote to the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) on 10 June informing them that industrial action at this time of year would cause very significant disruption and have a devastating impact on customers and their families going into the summer holiday season.
“In that context, and if Ialpa is intent on pursuing strike action, Aer Lingus asked Ialpa that advance notice of at least 15 days be provided. “Such a level of notice, which has been a norm where industrial action has been taken internationally in other airlines, would provide “Aer Lingus with more opportunity to try to make alternative arrangements for a greater number of customers. Aer Lingus is awaiting Ialpa’s response to this request.
” Ialpa said it concluded talks with Aer Lingus when the airline indicated that no further discussion could take .
