Aer Lingus pilots vote convincingly for summer strike action in second ballot

Aer Lingus members of the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) voted 99% in favour of action on a turnout of 89% following a fresh ballot at the weekend as part of an ongoing dispute with their employer over pay.

It comes after an electronic vote last week returned a 98% favourable result, although the validity of the ballot was questioned by Aer Lingus. Ialpa president, Captain Mark Tighe, said the second ballot – completed in-person – "reaffirmed" the union’s strike mandate with members seeking "a meaningful pay offer".

However, Tighe stressed action this summer was "not inevitable" despite the vote, telling the BBC it was his and Ialpa members’ hope that the result would relay the "strength of feeling" to Aer Lingus management.

He said the intervention by the carrier’s bosses, which resulted in the ballot being re-run, had only served to "further antagonise" its members. "They are now more determined than ever," he said.