Talks continuing in Aer Lingus dispute with significant gaps between the sides
Both sides in the Aer Lingus-pilot dispute are still in talks tonight, in what could be an indication of possible progress in the dispute.
Sources would only confirm that talks were “still ongoing” but noted there were significant gaps between the sides going into the talks. There are fears the company will announce more cancellations if the talks and that the pilots will escalate their action.
Both Aer Lingus and IALPA agreed to attend the talks, after two attempts to make progress at the Labour Court and in face-to-face meetings last week failed to reach a breakthrough.
Both sides have blamed the other for prolonging the stand-off that has led to almost 400 flights being cancelled and disrupted tens of thousands of passengers’ travel plans.
Aer Lingus has said pilots’ industrial action to date has caused “significant financial and reputational damage”.
Due to indefinite work-to-rule action from pilots, the airline has cancelled flights through to next Sunday.
Pilots have been seeking a 24% increase that they say is in line with inflation since their last rise in 2019. Mr Tighe has signalled he would be open to an offer below this number, but it would have to be accepted by union members.
Aer Lingus, meanwhile, has said it will offer pay increases of 12.25% and above if improvements in “productivity and flexibility” are on the table.
This condition has proved one of the key stumbling blocks to talks so far.
On Saturday, Aer Lingus pilots held their first eight-hour work stoppage of the industrial action so far, walking at 6am from the head office on the airport side beyond the two terminal buildings bearing banners and placards.
They also set up a picket line at the main roundabout near Dublin Airport.
It was agreed that discussions on escalating the industrial action to potentially include further strike action were suspended pending the Labour Court talks on Monday.
On the way into talks, Aer Lingus’ chief corporate affairs officer Donal Moriarty said they would be challenging. He said:
“We’ve no doubt that the engagement today in the Labour Court will be challenging, but we’re willing to engage in that meaningfully.”
Mr Tighe said that he hoped the company had reflected on its position ahead of the talks.
“From where Ialpa is, we believe that we are talking about a difference of approximately five million euro a year, in a company that is making €225 million [in profits] last year, much more profits going forward,” he said.
“If this fails today, we are back looking at an escalation. There is nothing that I can see beyond the Labour Court and its extensive experience and in recognition of that we didn’t escalate, but if this doesn’t work, there’s not many other options on the table.”
