IRISH pilots have voted in favour of a pay deal that should end an industrial dispute with Aer Lingus.
Hundreds of flights had been cancelled last month with work-to-rule industrial action from Aer Lingus pilots, but this was suspended when a ballot on the pay offer was put to pilots.
Members of the Irish Airlines Pilots’ Association (IALPA), the professional body for Irish pilots and a branch of the Fórsa trade union, backed the suggestion from the Labour Court with a margin of 85% on a 96% turnout.
Originally, pilots had asked for an increase of 24% which they said covered the cost of inflation since their last rise in 2019.
In a statement, IALPA said the deal will increase pilots pay by 19.2% by the end of 2026, with other substantive issues around rostering and allowances resolved.
Captain Mark Tighe, IALPA President, said: “This is the greatest pay award seen in 30 years for Aer Lingus pilots.
“Throughout negotiations, management were seeking work practice changes to fund our pay award. However, no work practice changes were conceded in this pay dispute, nor will they be in the future.
He added that companies making “significant profits” must ensure their employees share in the success and that their salaries are protected from inflation.
Captain Tighe called it “disappointing” that Aer Lingus did not reach an agreement in the 22 months before the Labour Court recommendation, calling the recent industrial action causing disruption to passengers was “wholly avoidable”.
