Aer Lingus pilots reject the airline’s 8.5% pay rise offer

AER LINGUS pilots have overwhelmingly rejected a pay increase of 8.5% as the offer did not reflect the ‘sacrifices’ they made during the pandemic.

Some 98% of members from the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA), a branch of Fórsa trade union, voted down the offer recommended by a company tribunal.

The Aer Lingus Pilot Pay Tribunal had called for a pay increase of 8.5%, along with a 1.5% ‘unconsolidated’ or onceoff and non-pensionable pay measure over three years.

However, the deal was dependent upon pilots accepting significant structural change to their pay and conditions.

Captain Mark Tighe, IALPA president, said the pay offer did not reflect the sacrifices made by pilots to sustain the company during the pandemic.

‘Reduced pay, terms and conditions were accepted by Aer Lingus pilots during the pandemic to help Aer Lingus with its recovery,’ he said.

‘Aer Lingus management failed to reverse these measures and return pilots back to their pre-Covid conditions as the company recovered.

‘The airline recently announced bumper profits and has since grown to 105% of pre-Covid capacity.’

Mr Tighe said the union has since informed Aer Lingus of the ballot result and ‘remains open’ for talks with the company to negotiate an improved pay offer. The IALPA is now seeking an urgent meeting with management to negotiate a deal that returns pilots to pre-pandemic pay, terms and conditions.

‘Any new pay deal needs to account for the loss of real earnings due to inflation, and bring Aer Lingus pilots’ pay level [in line] with those of the airline’s competitors,’ Mr Tighe said.

In a statement, Aer Lingus said it was disappointed the IALPA had recommended that the pay deal be rejected immediately following the tribunal’s report being issued last month.

‘Aer Lingus advised IALPA in the new year of the airline’s broad acceptance of the report’s recommendations, subject to some minor clarifications of understanding that would be sought from the tribunal,’ a spokesperson said.

The airline added: ‘In light of IALPA’s confirmation of rejection on the report in the ballot, Aer Lingus will now consider next steps.’

Last year, Aer Lingus agreed to provide pilots and cabin crew with a pay increase as it began recruiting pilots for the first time since the pandemic.

In 2021, the airline’s chief executive, Lynne Embleton, revealed that it was losing up to €1million a day due to travel restrictions. However, Aer Lingus recorded a €196million profit in the third quarter of 2023, which was 27% ahead of pre-pandemic levels during the same period in 2019.

According to Aer Lingus, pilots can expect a competitive salary with ‘many additional benefits’. Pilots start on a remuneration package between €63,500 to €77,000, which includes a flight-associated pay of around €18,000, including sector pay and performance pay.

Other benefits include a 21% contribution pension from Aer Lingus plus an 11% employee contribution. Pilots are also provided with 34 days of annual leave, including public holidays. According to job listing site Indeed, the average Aer Lingus pilot’s yearly pay in Ireland is around €91,079, which is 87% above the national average. Salary information was collected from employees, users, and past and present job ads on Indeed over a period of 36 months.

‘Failed to reverse measures’