An overwhelming majority (99%) of Aer Lingus pilots have once again voted in favour of strike action. 

Members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (IALPA) voted this week by paper ballot after Aer Lingus raised concerns about the integrity of the initial electronic ballot. 

Members had voted 97.7% in favour of industrial action in the e-vote. 

It is not clear when pilots will strike, but they reportedly hope to put more pressure on the airline by calling it as late as possible. 

The union has “no intention” of agreeing to give the airline 15 days’ notice of any strike action – and will offer only the minimum seven days. 

The shorter lead-in time will leave the airline needing to pay out compensation to impacted passengers – something that could be avoided if it was able to give them 15 days’ notice of flight disruption. 

'More determined than ever'

IALPA president Captain Mark Tighe said the result of the second ballot was “an incredible reaffirmation of our mandate for industrial action in pursuit of a meaningful pay offer”. 

“It is unconscionable that an employer would attempt to undermine our members’ democratic and constitutional right to vote for industrial action,” he said. 

“The effect of Aer Lingus management’s intervention last week has served only to further antagonise pilots.” 

He said pilots are now “more determined than ever”. 

Aer Lingus pilots strike

Aer Lingus pilots are seeking a 23.8% pay increase “to ensure that pilots’ pay has the same purchasing power as it did in 2019”. 

Captain Tighe noted Aer Lingus reported a €225 million profit in 2023 – a 400% increase compared to 2022. 

He said IALPA is following the example of British Airways pilots, who secured a 24% pay increase in 2019. 

Pilots previously rejected a Labour Court proposal of a 9.25% pay increase over two years. 

Aer Lingus has labelled the demands “outrageous” – claiming that it would see senior pilots getting paid just under €350,000 a year.