Aer Lingus Regional pilots to escalate industrial action

Aer Lingus Regional pilots have informed the company of an escalation of industrial action in a dispute over pay, conditions and union recognition. Members of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) in Emerald Airlines voted in May on whether to take industrial action, including a strike, at the airline that flies the Aer Lingus Regional network. The union said the industrial action is response to the airline’s failure to engage with IALPA to form a collective labour agreement for pilots. Emerald pilots have been engaged in a strict work-to-rule policy since June 24th. The action includes a refusal to work overtime or out-of-duty hours. The escalation of the industrial action will mean that pilots will not be contactable by the company outside of working hours and will not accept changes to their rosters with fewer than 24 hours’ notice. The escalation takes effect from Tuesday. Fórsa official Ian McDonnell said the escalation of industrial action is likely to disrupt flight services and said pilots now had “no choice but to step up their action”.<br/>