Fórsa representatives have successfully negotiated a significant change to Aer Lingus's domestic violence (DV) leave policy, ensuring that workers there will receive payment of allowances while availing of this leave. Previously, the airline did not include allowance payments, this has now been changed, marking a major win for both the branch and its members, who seeded action on the issue through a motion. 
 
In late 2023, Aer Lingus introduced a domestic violence leave policy following the passage of the Work Life Balance and Miscellaneous Provisions Act 2023 that provides for five paid leave days. 

However, the original policy failed to address the application of 'credits'—the overtime allowance payment essential for members pay. This oversight could have resulted in substantial pay losses for employees needing to take domestic violence leave, as these allowances significantly boost their monthly earnings. 
 
“We raised this matter with Aer Lingus at every negotiation, and this month management confirmed that they would now apply the calculation of average credits into domestic violence leave,” said Fórsa assistant general secretary Lisa Connell.  
 
She said: “Without the application of average credits, staff would face a substantial loss of pay, impacting their financial stability during a critical time.” 
 
Lisa emphasised the dire consequences of not addressing this issue: “If the status quo remained, the real effect of the original policy would have resulted in vulnerable members not being able to leave a violent relationship and avail of the five days, as there would be a substantial loss of pay as a result of not flying. The agreement to now pay average credits means that cabin crew will receive no loss of pay in real terms if they need to avail of DV leave.” 

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