The Irish Airline Pilots Association (IALPA) has recommended acceptance of Labour Court proposals aimed at resolving its pay dispute with Aer Lingus.
IALPA is to suspend its work-to-rule at the airline while it awaits the outcome of a ballot of pilots.
The union said it will hold a series of engagements with members before the ballot, which is due to open on Thursday 18 July and close on Tuesday 23 July.
The Labour Court recommendation includes a 17.75% pay increase for pilots over a four-year period.
IALPA President Captain Mark Tighe described the pay increase provided for in the recommendation as a significant win for pilots.
“This achievement was secured by the determination and unity shown by our members,” Captain Tighe said.
“In addition to this, we achieved a return to the 2019 pay scale which means new staff will increase their pay by an additional 10%. That means the lowest paid pilots will enjoy salary increases of almost 30%,” he added.
Aer Lingus said it welcomed IALPA’s recommendation of acceptance of the Labour Court recommendation and its decision to discontinue the industrial action.
“We look forward to IALPA completing the balloting process as soon as possible,” the airline said.
‘Very positive development’ – Taoiseach
Taoiseach Simon Harris said he welcomed the decision by IALPA to suspend industrial action and recommend acceptance of the Labour Court proposal.
“This is a very positive development for the travelling public and our tourism sector. I have consistently stated that compromise and engagement was the only forward,” Mr Harris said.
IALPA’s decision to endorse the recommendation followed a meeting of its executive during which clarifications from Aer Lingus and the Labour Court were considered.
Earlier, Aer Lingus announced the cancellation of a further 25 flights due to the industrial action by pilots, bringing to 573 the total number of flights grounded since industrial action began two weeks ago.
The Labour Court recommendation also proposes the ending of 2022 pay scales, the scrapping of a crewing agreement on rostering and summer leave, and the termination of a debt owed by pilots to the company as part of that agreement.