Aer Lingus pilots have commenced industrial action as part of a continued dispute with the airline regarding pay. The Irish Air Line Pilot’s Association (IALPA) called for an indefinite work-to-rule starting at midnight on Wednesday. An eight-hour strike is planned for Saturday as efforts to resolve the ongoing issue between the IALPA and Aer Lingus once again failed in separate meetings on Tuesday at the Dublin Labour Court.
A statement from Aer Lingus to Irish broadcaster RTÉ expressed disappointment that the Labour Court failed to intervene in the matter but explained that the company will review the situation in July. So far, the total number of flights cancelled due to the industrial action has reached 270, causing disruption to customers. Aer Lingus has called on IALPA to “consider the damage that its continued industrial action is inflicting upon passengers, the company and the Irish economy.”
IALPA president Capt Mark Tighe told BBC News NI that the work-to-rule had been introduced because Aer Lingus management “have refused to see the reasonableness of our accumulative inflationary pay claim”. The pilots are asking for a 24% pay increase and Capt Tighe claims that an “acceptable offer” would see industrial action come to an end. The work-to-rule includes “some added industrial elements.”
Irish Taoiseach Simon Harris called for intensive engagement between Aer Lingus and IALPA at the Labour Court to prevent “utter chaos” for air passengers. Meanwhile, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said there was “an urgent necessity” to find a resolution, noting that the public was being ignored by both sides in the dispute.
Aer Lingus has outlined what customers can do if their flights are cancelled due to the industrial action. Passengers with flights booked between 26 June and 2 July have been contacted via email or SMS, or through their travel agent, and have the option to change flights online, request a full refund or a refund voucher that can be redeemed within five years. Travel agents or third-party bookings must be contacted directly
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