Aer Lingus pilots have voted to accept the Labour Court proposals to end their pay row with the airline.

Earlier this month, the Labour Court recommended that pilots get a 17.75% pay increase up to the end of 2026.

Aer Lingus accepted the recommendation; however, the Irish Airline Pilots Association had to consult with its members before deciding.

Following an online ballot, IALPA pilots have this morning voted to accept the recommendation, bringing the dispute to an end.

Ballot

In a statement, IALPA said 96% of its members voted in the ballot.

It said some 85% of those backed the terms of the Labour Court recommendation.

It noted that pilots suspended their work-to-rule industrial action on July 10th while the union awaited the outcome of the ballot.

In a statement shortly after the result was announced, Aer Lingus said it “welcomes the outcome of the ballot which has accepted the Labour Court recommendation”.

'Destroyed relationships'

Speaking after the ballot was announced this morning, IALPA President Mark Tighe slammed Aer Lingus management for the way they handled the dispute.

“It is clear that management have destroyed their relationship with their pilots and it remains to be seen whether they are capable of rebuilding that,” he said.

“Anything they do must be real, meaningful and demonstrable and not just words.”

'This dispute is complete. But it is clear that management have destroyed their relationship with their pilots.'

IALPA president Mark Tighe reacts, after Aer Lingus pilots vote to accept the Labour Court proposals to end their pay row with the airline. pic.twitter.com/oSL0hd6kyv

— NewstalkFM (@NewstalkFM) July 23, 2024

Asked how the airline destroyed its relationship with pilots, he said: “They have attacked their pilots who were trying to negotiate and pursue a pay increase that went along inflation.”

“That resulted in the necessity to strike and disrupt our valued passengers.

“When you're faced with a greedy, intransigent management that refuses to protect its staff's, pay from inflation while it is all-profitable, they can only ask the question of themselves.”
He insisted that IALPA had acted as a “professional association” throughout the dispute.

“We are the constant in this,” he said.

“Management come and go; we hope this management team has learned that its pilots are an asset to be valued and not a cost to be burdened upon.”

Industrial action

Captain Tighe said he would not speak for other unions – but suggested people all over Ireland should consider whether it is reasonable for profitable companies to refuse to protect their employee’s pay from the impact of inflation.

“I've said over and over again,” he said. “In profitable companies, it is only fair and reasonable that the staff are protected from inflation.”

Captain Tighe also clarified that the deal will mean that every Aer Lingus pilot will be at least 19.2% better off by July 2026.

He said the bottom 20% of earners and all new pilots will be 30% better off.