The Labour Court has recommended cumulative pay rises of around 11%, phased over four years, for Fórsa members at CHC Helicopters. The recommendation follows a hearing covering pay, rosters, pension, overtime, disability allowances and upgrades at the private helicopter firm, which provides Ireland’s search and rescue service under a Government contract.

The phased payments recommended by the courts are as follows:

• 1st May 2018 – 2.5%
• 1st May 2019 – 2.85%
• 1st May 2020 – 3%
• 1st May 2021 – 2.5%

The union, along with the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association branch and local CHC reps, is recommending the Court’s terms, which include details on maternity pay, overtime, productivity, attendance management, sick pay and death in service. The full recommendation is available HERE.

Fórsa official Ian McDonnell said the union’s case was based on the need for the employer to increase pilot salaries. “This was in order to attract the pilots CHC requires to maintain the contract. The global shortage of pilots continues to be a challenge for all commercial aviation,” he said.

The Court also recommended that the parties review the pilot service agreement over a period of three months. It said any outstanding matters should then be dealt with through the normal industrial relations procedures.