AER Lingus said that they have written to pilots to discuss the ongoing dispute over pay and seek a resolution ahead of the summer rush season. The Irish airline industrial action has affected around 15,000 customers who have been left with their travel plans up in the air after they cancelled hundreds of flights due to the strikes. The strikes are caused by the pilots who are seeking a pay increase of 24 per cent, which they say equates to inflation since the last pay rise in 2019.
Aer Lingus added in a statement this afternoon that, if improvements in efficiency and flexibility are reached, it has consistently attempted to work directly with IALPA. They claim that they have tried to discuss methods to raise pilot compensation above the 12.25 per cent increase decided upon with all other collectively bargained organisations.
It stated that the most recent direct talks with the corporation ended on Monday, June 17, and that IALPA has so far declined to participate in those significant negotiations. The airline added that it has also urged the IALPA and the Forsa to get back in touch with the Labour Court and the Workplace Relations Commission. However, at this point, the unions have rejected the airline's request.
The President of IALPA, Mark Tighe said the pilots want "to retain" their current compensation rather than increase it. According to Mr. Tighe, the reason for the 24 per cent wage increase is due to the inflation during the recent years and "it's an accumulative inc.
