Explainer: Aer Lingus pilots’ industrial action – how will my flight be affected?

I’ve booked Aer Lingus flights, should I be worried?

Unfortunately, yes. An indefinite work-to-rule action is likely to cause significant disruption and may lead to some flight cancellations. But it’s not as bad as it could have been if an indefinite strike had been announced.

However, a one-day strike might have been preferable to Aer Lingus executives than a work-to-rule with little end in sight. It means the pilots will only do their jobs in the strictest sense.

In further bad news, the industrial action will start sooner rather than later. The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) has only given the minimum ­seven days’ notice. Aer Lingus had pleaded for a 15-day warning.

Will the work-to-rule cause much disruption?

Yes. Aer Lingus said the action will ­“inevitably result in significant disruption” to customers and employees. It did not give much detail in terms of what this will mean yet.

“Aer Lingus will now turn its focus to doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the disruption to our customers,” the airline added in a statement.

What exactly will the pilots refuse to do?

Ialpa says it is a “strict” work-to-rule. Pilots will not work overtime, or any other out-of-hours duties requested by management. They will only work published rosters and will not accept or work any amendments to published rosters.

The will not log into the Aer Lingus portal or “e-crew” outside work hours.

They will also not answer phone calls outside work hours.

When does it start?

It begins at a minute past midnight on Wednesday, June 26.

When will the disruption end?

It would be foolish to predict. It’s not looking good right now. Ialpa president Captain Mark Tighe warned that “our pay claim is entirely affordable, and Aer Lingus management need to quickly change position if they want to avoid this dispute escalating”.

The dispute has been going on for a long time and there has been little meeting of minds at talks.

The pilots have already rejected two pay offers. Industrial action may not be popular, especially as the highest-paid captains would get an increase of around €50,000 if their demands are met. But the pilots appear determined.

Is there any hope?

Yes. Industrial disputes often go to the brink – but can end very quickly.

The Labour Court is still on the pitch. It has already made an “interim” pay recommendation. It could still intervene to have a go at a definitive resolution.

What are the chances of strikes?

The work to rule may well go ahead, but there will be a big effort to prevent strikes. The stakes are obviously high before the peak summer holiday season.

The Government, Aer Lingus and the State’s industrial relations machinery are likely to throw their weight behind efforts to resolve the row if it looks like the action is about to ramp up.