27th June, 4pm 

“Aer Lingus engaged constructively in today’s meeting with IALPA / Forsa in order to try to find a resolution to the pay dispute with IALPA. The airline sought to discuss issues involving improvements to productivity and flexibility including modernisation of agreements that could help build a pay increase for pilots beyond the 12.25% increase that had been agreed with all other collectively bargained groups.

The discussions did not progress to a point where a resolution could be reached and they were ended by IALPA. IALPA indicated that it did not have a mandate from its members to discuss productivity and flexibility– matters which are essential in any pay negotiations. Aer Lingus suggested to IALPA that it should consider taking steps to adjust its mandate so that meaningful discussions on pilot pay can take place.

Pilots are on strike for 8 hours on Saturday 29^th – it would seem that this would be an opportune time for IALPA to meet pilots to adjust IALPA’s mandate so that it is capable of engaging in meaningful negotiations that can resolve this dispute. The Labour Court indicated to both parties on 25^th June that it would respond positively to a joint referral of the dispute to the Labour Court for its assistance. In this context, Aer Lingus is willing to proceed with a formal joint referral to the Labour Court and calls on Forsa to agree to such a formal joint referral.”

[ENDS]