June 18, 2024

“IALPA’s decision to serve notice of industrial action by Aer Lingus pilots commencing on 26^th June was entirely unnecessary. Aer Lingus will assess the impact of the full detail of the industrial action served by IALPA, including the strict ‘work to rule’ that they have outlined. It will inevitably result in significant disruption to our customers and to other employees. Aer Lingus will do everything possible to minimise the disruption to customers, but unfortunately a significant level of disruption is inevitable.  

 

In advance of being served with the notice, Aer Lingus wrote to IALPA 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, Aer Lingus asked IALPA that advance notice of at least fifteen 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. IALPA declined Aer Lingus’ request to give advance notice of at least 15 days.

 

With a view to avoiding industrial action, Aer Lingus offered to continue to engage in meaningful direct discussions on productivity and flexibility proposals to enable increased pay.

Aer Lingus also offered to request the support of the Workplace Relations Commission in order to further explore solutions. Both of these offers were rejected by IALPA.

 

Profitability levels in Aer Lingus are the lowest in the IAG group with operating margin significantly lower than pre-Covid levels, making continued investment in the business by IAG challenging. Investment of such profits in paying exorbitant increases to already very well-paid pilots is simplistic in the extreme.

 

IALPA have rejected the outcomes of two independent processes which have sought to resolve the issue, including a Pilot Pay Tribunal report which recommended a 3 year pay deal similar to that which has been agreed by other employee groups (i.e. an increase in consolidated pay for pilots of 12.25%, and a 1.5% unconsolidated pay increase). The Pilot Pay tribunal also recommended full restoration of pre-Covid pay scales, which was rejected by IALPA.

 

IALPA also rejected an interim Labour Court recommendation which would have further improved the pay position of pilots. During the WRC and Labour Court processes, IALPA sought an effective increase in pay for pilots of 27%. At the most recent direct discussions, IALPA demanded an unsustainable level of increase in pilot pay that was not supported by any increases in productivity or flexibility. Our pilots are highly regarded colleagues, and they are rightfully well paid for the work that they do.  Aer Lingus pilots are more than fairly compensated compared to the market.

 

Over and above the unnecessary disruption that this industrial action will cause to our customers, IALPA’s failure to engage in the various independent processes in a responsible manner jeopardises our growth plans including our plans to fly to more destinations, to buy new, more sustainable aircraft, and to hire more people, including more pilots, to work at Aer Lingus.

 

Aer Lingus will now turn its focus to doing everything possible to minimise the impact of the disruption to our customers.”

 

[ENDS]