Aer Lingus pilots and management pay dispute is to be addressed at the Labour Court today after an adjourned meeting last Monday.
In February, talks at the Workplace Relations Commission (WRC) failed to produce an agreement between the two sides.
An independent tribunal recommended a 12.25pc pay increase for Aer Lingus employees, with pilots receiving an effective increase of 8.5pc.
The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) rejected the proposal, seeking more 24pc, according to the union, of 27pc, according to the airline, citing the impact of inflation and sacrifices made during the pandemic.
IALPA’s pay proposal includes a 20pc pay rise and the additional 7pc covering the cost by pilots of a 2019 crewing agreement. The 12.25pc proposed by the carrier included a 3.75pc to pay for that crewing agreement.
Aer Lingus has warned that this dispute could jeopardize future investment, growth, and job opportunities.
Luis Gallego, chief executive of IAG recently warned that the group would slow down expansion of Aer Lingus until the dispute was resolved. Aer Lingus had anticipated receiving two A321XLR in the final quarter of this year. Mr Gallego said in February that without a pilot pay agreement at the airline, those aircraft might now be deployed within the group’s other subsidiaries, which include British Airways, Iberia and Vueling.
The first A32XLR is painted in the airline colours and is due to be deployed in the coming weeks, making Aer Lingus the first airline in the world to fly the new aircraft type.
