The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) has issued formal notice to Aer Lingus management informing them that pilots will begin industrial action at a minute past midnight on Wednesday 26th June.

The work to rule will last indefinitely. Pilots in Aer Lingus have twice voted in favour of taking industrial action over the past two weeks. In both ballots pilots voted overwhelmingly for strike action. 

In an initial electronic ballot last week IALPA members voted 98% in favour of taking industrial action up to and including full withdrawal of labour. Turnout for the ballot was 98%.  

However, Aer Lingus then raised concerns about the electronic ballot. Though IALPA confirmed that the union rule book allows for the provision of electronic ballots and that concerns raised by Aer Lingus were unfounded, a paper ballot last weekend was held to avoid unnecessary litigation leading to prolonged uncertainty.

In the second ballot turnout was 89% and 99% voted in favour of taking industrial action up to and including full withdrawal of labour. 

IALPA is a branch of Fórsa, within the Services and Enterprises division. Speaking about the dispute, assistant general secretary Ruairí Creaney said: “IALPA has been negotiating with Aer Lingus for 20 months. Throughout this period the employer has shown increased hostility towards members and the union.”

“Last week Aer Lingus took the unprecedented step of challenging the integrity of a union ballot further raising the level of antagonism. However, the exceptionally high turnout of IALPA members to vote again via paper ballot reconfirmed the mandate given by members.”

The pilots' pay claim is being made at a time of enormous profitability for Aer Lingus. Last year the company’s profits increased by 400%. The 24% claim equals the rate of inflation since 2019, which is when pilots last received a pay rise. 

IALPA’s industrial action will involve a strict work to rule, which includes not working overtime, or any other out of hours duties requested by management.

Ruairí continued: “IALPA has been negotiating tirelessly with management in an effort to resolve this dispute, but unfortunately agreement has not been reached. It is up to Aer Lingus now to recognise that they can avert disruption by re-engaging meaningfully with IALPA in the days ahead to resolve this dispute.” 

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