Talks between Aer Lingus and representatives of the pilots’ union to resolve the industrial dispute have broken down.
Officials from the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) and the airline had been engaged in negotiations on Thursday morning in an attempt to bring an end to the stand-off.
Pilots are looking for a near 24 per cent increase, while Aer Lingus has been forced to cancel 270 flights so far as a result of the row.
Aer Lingus chief corporate affairs officer Donal Moriarty confirmed the airline was assessing cancellations needed from Wednesday, July 3rd, to counter the impact of the pilots’ ongoing work to rule.
Following discussion, Aer Lingus released a statement in which they said: The discussions did not progress to a point where a resolution could be reached, and they were ended by IALPA. IALPA indicated that it did not have a mandate from its members to discuss productivity and flexibility– matters which are essential in any pay negotiations.
"Aer Lingus suggested to IALPA that it should consider taking steps to adjust its mandate so that meaningful discussions on pilot pay can take place.
"Pilots are on strike for 8 hours on Saturday 29th – it would seem that this would be an opportune time for IALPA to meet pilots to adjust IALPA’s mandate so that it is capable of engaging in meaningful negotiations that can resolve this dispute.
"The Labour Court indicated to both parties on 25th June that it would respond positively to a joint referral of the dispute to the Labour Court for its assistance. In this context, Aer Lingus is willing to proceed with a formal joint referral to the Labour Court and calls on Forsa to agree to such a formal joint referral.”
Ialpa members began their second day of open-ended work to rule that has prompted the company to cancel flights to preserve as many services as possible.
Axed services on Thursday include a flight from Cork to Heathrow, along with 12 services from Dublin, including to Rome, Heathrow, Brussels and New York.
Ialpa president Mark Tighe said: “At this point, talks have broken down.
“We allowed a smaller group – both sides did – to meet to see if they could come to some sort (of agreement).
“Ialpa officially moved from its inflationary figure of 23.88 per cent. The company has not moved from its statement that anything more than 12.25 per cent would have to be funded by pilots’ own payments through work practice changes.”
