AER Lingus pilots this evening backed strike action — sparking fears of travel chaos and grounded planes over the summer.
The Irish Airline Pilots’ Association said 99 per cent of those who came forward had endorsed downing tools as part of a demand for a 24 per cent pay rise.
2
Some 89 per cent of the 800 Aer Lingus pilots in the union voted via paper ballot over the weekend.
IALPA said its members were now “more determined than ever” to secure their pay claim.
The move followed the airline saying it had concerns around the integrity of an initial electronic ballot.
IALPA president Captain Mark Tighe said the fresh result was “an incredible reaffirmation of our mandate for industrial action in pursuit of a meaningful pay offer”.
He said: “It is unconscionable that an employer would attempt to undermine our members’ democratic and constitutional right to vote for industrial action.”
He said the questions raised by the airline had “served only to further antagonise pilots”. Captain Tighe said the 23.8 per cent claim “is to ensure that pilots’ pay has the same purchasing power as it did in 2019”.
He said it “reflects the enormous increase in profits enjoyed by Aer Lingus”.
He added: “Last year, they reported €225million profit — an increase of 400 per cent on the previous year.”
The IALPA claims British Airways pilots secured a 24 per cent increase in 2019, while Lufthansa pilots received a 27 per cent rise.
He added: “IALPA is now consulting with our colleagues in Forsa to determine our next steps.”
Aer Lingus has rejected the pay request and accused IALPA of failing to fully engage in talks.
It said that it has also lost the opportunity to secure two new Airbus aircraft over the uncertainty.
Talks between management and pilots ended without agreement on Thursday, after IALPA members voted overwhelmingly to reject a Labour Court recommendation for a rise of 9.25 per cent as part of an interim settlement.
Pilots had been able to vote at polling stations in Dublin and Cork since Friday and right up to 11am today.
