Irish agents plead for resolution ahead of Aer Lingus pilots' action
Harry KembleThe Irish Travel Agents Association (ITAA) has repeated its plea for all parties involved in resolving a pay dispute between Aer Lingus and its pilots to get back around the table and to find a solution ahead of planned industrial action this week.
The Irish carrier on Thursday (20 June) confirmed it will cancel up to 20% of flights during the initial phase of the action by its pilots, which is scheduled to get under way next Wednesday (26 June).
On Tuesday (18 June), the Irish Airline Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) served notice on Aer Lingus that it would be instructing its members flying for the airline to adopt a strict – and “indefinite” – work-to-rule policy once the action starts.
This means Aer Lingus members will refuse to work overtime or work beyond their contract hours, and reject any management requests to change their rosters.
Over the past week, there have been two votes in favour of action up to and including a full strike in an ongoing dispute over pay. Talks have broken down with Ialpa seeking a more than 20% pay rise for its members.
Just hours after Aer Lingus confirmed how many flights it would be forced to pull, ITAA president Angela Walsh said: “The ITAA is urging Aer Lingus and unions to reach a resolution.
"Industrial action over the summer months causes serious impact for both holidaymakers and corporate travellers, which we have seen with the cancellation of flights in advance of the indefinite period of work-to-rule which takes place from next Wednesday.
Walsh continued: “The consumer is ultimately at the heart of this. We are in the busiest travel period of the year, with seriously damaging effects on both inbound and outbound tourism, the leisure holiday market, business travel and for family members flying to see their loved ones.
“We are urging the airline and the pilots to put the consumer first in an effort to avoid such disruption to travel plans.”
Aer Lingus has described the action as “wholly unnecessary” while Irish taoiseach Simon Harris said both sides involved in the dispute needed to “step back from the brink”.
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Harry Kemble
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