FLIGHT CHAOS
Aer Lingus pilots in strike move from NEXT WEEK as fears rise over summer holiday hell
Some 99 per cent of Irish Airline Pilots’ Association members voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay
AER Lingus pilots will kick in an indefinite work-to-rule strike NEXT WEEK - amid rising fears of summer holiday hell.
Pilots union IALPA has given notice to the airline that pilots won't work overtime or "any other out of hours duties requested by management" from Wednesday June 26.
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And the move is likely to cause major flight disruption for thousands of Aer Lingus passengers.
Aer Lingus bosses said: "IALPA’s decision to serve notice of industrial action by Aer Lingus pilots commencing on June 26 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.
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"Aer Lingus will do everything possible to minimise the disruption to customers, but unfortunately a significant level of disruption is inevitable."
They added: "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."
Union chiefs said pilots will only work published rosters, which means they'll not accept or work "any amendments to published rosters".
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The union said: "This includes no Friday changes and no changes on or prior to the day of operation."
And pilots won't log into the Aer Lingus portal or answer phone calls outside of work hours.
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IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe said: “We are now at a point where this dispute has escalated to indefinite industrial action by pilots.
“We are in this position because management have failed to provide us with a meaningful offer on pay that accounts for inflation and the sacrifices made by pilots to save Aer Lingus during the pandemic.”
The Finance Minister had earlier urged Aer Lingus management and unions to “get down around the table” for talks to avoid strikes.
Michael McGrath said discussions should take place as soon as possible to prevent travel chaos over the busy summer holiday season.
Some 99 per cent of Irish Airline Pilots’ Association members voted for industrial action in a dispute over pay, it was announced on Monday.
They want a rise of 24 per cent — an amount the airline says is unrealistic.
Mr McGrath said: “I would call on both Aer Lingus management and the union to get down around the table as quickly as possible and to have meaningful discussions to avoid industrial action.
“We’re coming into a very important season now, where for many individuals and families this is the one opportunity in the year that they may have to get away.
“The earlier the discussions take place, and a settlement can be agreed between the airline and the pilots’ representatives, the better.
“The last thing anybody wants to see is passengers being discommoded, flights being cancelled, people’s plans being disrupted.”
And speaking before a Cabinet meeting, the Tanaiste called it a “very serious” situation for fliers.
Micheal Martin added: “I would urge all sides to go to the Labour Relations Commission to have this issue resolved.”
Aer Lingus regional flights from Dublin won't be impacted because the services are operated by an external provider.
Aer Lingus’ chief corporate affairs officer Donal Moriarty accused the pilots’ union of being “determined” to inflict disruption on the travelling public by striking.
They have asked pilots to give 15 days’ notice of any strike — more than double the seven days they must legally give.
Asked what will happen if pilots do walk off the job, Mr Moriarty told RTE’s Morning Ireland: “Inevitably, if they do, it will involve much disruption for our customers.
“What we’re doing is preparing for that and we are communicating with our customers and try to lay out the options they have to minimise that disruption.
“However, it will be significant. The challenge at this time of year is that all airlines are busy and seeking to re-accommodate passengers is difficult.”
Mr Moriarty said the 24 per cent pay increase being sought by IALPA is untenable.
IALPA conducted a paper ballot over the weekend after Aer Lingus raised concerns about the integrity of the initial electronic ballot.
President Mark Tighe said the result of the second ballot was "an incredible reaffirmation of our mandate for industrial action in pursuit of a meaningful pay offer".
He said: "It is unconscionable that an employer would attempt to undermine our members' democratic and constitutional right to vote for industrial action."
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