Travel relief for striking Aer Lingus pilots suspended ‘until further notice’

In a document sent to all pilots, management announced it was canceling flight privileges including cheap tickets, changing sick leave conditions due to the increase in absences and would not allow the use of parking lots during the strike action.

Some pilots are known to commute from abroad, taking advantage of travel benefits.

But today’s new talks will give passengers new hope for resolving the long-running wage dispute. The talks are to take place at 9:30 at the Maldron Hotel near Dublin Airport, after the Irish Airline Pilots Association (Ialpa) accepted the airline’s invitation to direct talks.

Passengers ‘concerned’ over Aer Lingus protests

The indefinite work-to-rule began yesterday, and an eight-hour strike was planned for Saturday. Pilots want raises totaling almost 24 percent, paid in stages over three years.

The Labor Court asked Ialpa not to step up its action until the dispute is heard on July 1, but no commitments have been made.

In a letter to pilots, the airline issued a series of warnings and threatened pay cuts if unofficial action was taken.

Aer Lingus said its priority was to alleviate significant disruption caused by the union’s proposed industrial action. It ensures that, where possible, it will re-accommodate affected customers.

The letter states that these actions are clearly intended to thwart any efforts by airlines to avoid significant flight cancellations

“Consequently, from June 26, 2024, all employee travel privileges and tickets (including those already issued) for Ialpa/Fórsa members who take part in this industrial action, (and) their eligible relatives… will be suspended until cancellation,” we read in a letter from Chief Operating Officer Adrian Dunne.

He said any travel privilege reservations already made for the remainder of June and July would be canceled and refunded, and reservations beyond that period would be reviewed.

The “private and confidential” message said it was inappropriate to describe it as “strict adherence to the rules” by Ialpa or Fórsa and claimed it “goes far beyond that.”

“It is very sad that the Ialpa community is now taking more drastic actions that will not only harm our business but will also significantly disrupt the travel and vacation plans of many of our valued customers during our busy summer season,” the statement read.

The letter points out that this action is clearly intended to thwart all efforts by airlines to avoid significant flight cancellations at short notice and will have a negative impact on pilot training.

This was revealed when Aer Lingus unexpectedly invited Ialpa for talks yesterday.

This followed unsuccessful informal discussions at the Employment Tribunal earlier this week.

It is unclear whether Aer Lingus will change its negotiating position during today’s talks, and Ialpa has already said it has no mandate to discuss the issues the airline wants to address.

The airline’s position on flexibility and productivity changes aimed at raising Aer Lingus’ pay offer above 12.25% appears to remain unchanged.

Meanwhile, the letter to pilots warns that any action that violates contracts or contractual obligations will be considered unofficial industrial action.

Individuals participating in the program will be immediately removed from the payroll or held personally liable for any losses.

“For the avoidance of doubt, the pilot will be subject to a proportionate deduction from his salary for failure to fully perform his official duties,” he said.

The letter stated that pilots cannot wear uniforms during pickets

He warned that if there continues to be a noticeable increase in pilot absences or inflexibility beyond official industrial action, he will take “appropriate action.”

The letter shows that there has been a noticeable increase in the number of “ad hoc” sick leaves for pilots. It says it will temporarily change the sick leave policy that came into effect yesterday so that any pilot on sick leave from the first day of absence will be required to have a medical certificate.

In addition, pilots taking part in the weekend strike are prohibited from using the airline’s staff car parks at Dublin and Cork airports while they are stationed.

The letter said they were not allowed to wear uniforms while picketing.

Other Aer Lingus employees, including cabin crew, have secured pay increases worth 12.25%. under a contract that covers the period from last year to next year. Last October, salaries increased by 5.75%. or by 1,840 euros, whichever is higher; 3.5 percent applied from January 1 this year; and 3 percent is to be paid from January 1 next year.

In addition, on October 1 this year, a one-off tax-free voucher amount of EUR 750 will be paid.

A spokesman for Aer Lingus said: “Staff travel for pilots involved in the industrial action has been suspended.

“The purpose of this is to provide additional space to re-accommodate passengers who have been disrupted by the ongoing industrial action which began on June 26 and the strike action which took place on June 29.”