Aer Lingus pilots are “not trying to cause harm” to passengers through industrial action, according to the top union official. 

The Irish Air Line Pilots' Association (IALPA) will begin industrial action on Wednesday, June 26th – including an all-out strike next Saturday from 5am to 1pm. 

Some 244 Aer Lingus flights have been cancelled as a result, affecting up to 35,000 passengers. 

The pay dispute also resulted in two planes – an A321XLR – not being allocated to Aer Lingus, according to Chief Corporate Affairs Officer for Aer Lingus Donal Moriarity. 

IALPA President Mark Tighe said the union is “not trying to cause harm” to passengers or the airline. 

“We're exercising the rights that we have under law like everybody else has,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

He said Aer Lingus is refusing “to deal with a reasonable cumulative pay claim”. 

“Over the period of 2019 to 2023, top executive pay and earnings increased by 66%,” he said. 

“We’re looking, for over the period of time, we're talking about approximately 4% per year. 

“This is just greed by management and the refusal to deal honourably with us and their staff.” 

Mr Tighe also noted he has received a letter from the Aer Lingus cabin crew union representatives supporting the industrial action. 

Aer Lingus 'willing to discuss'

Mr Moriarty told the show that IALPA members are refusing to cooperate on discussions of proposed compromises. 

“Aer Lingus was willing to discuss and wanted to get into proposals as to how pay could be built above [12.25%],” he said. “IALPA refused to do that and ended the discussion. 

“We've since written to them twice on various aspects of this dispute, looking for meetings, and we've had no response to that.” 

He said Aer Lingus “cannot and will not” accept the 24% pay increase pilots are demanding and using as a “precondition” to further discussions. 

“It seems clear that IALPA are either unwilling or unable to enter into meaningful, direct discussions,” he said. 

Mr Tighe said IALPA did respond to Aer Lingus and has no “preconditions” to further negotiations. 

“We want them to acknowledge our 24% cumulative inflationary claim, but we laid no preconditions,” he said. 

He claimed the airline accused him and others of organising an “orchestrated and unlawful campaign of illegal industrial action”. 

“We're not looking to increase our pay,” he said. “We’re looking to protect our pay and our ability to buy what we could buy [before].” 

Mr Tighe claimed the 24% pay increase demand is based on inflation rates. 

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