Pilots at Aer Lingus vote for industrial action as airline describes pay claim as ‘exorbitant’

The prospect of major disruption to Aer Lingus services over the coming weeks has increased after pilots at the airline voted by a large margin in favour of industrial action in a dispute over pay. In a ballot that concluded on Wednesday afternoon, 98% of members of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (Ialpa) who voted indicated they were in favour of industrial action, up to and including a strike, in support of their claim for increases totaling 23.8% over three and a half years. The turnout was also said to be 98%. Talks between the two sides continued on Wednesday evening, however, and the union’s executive has not yet made any decision on the nature or timing of any industrial action in the event they produce a deal. Ialpa president Mark Tighe said the union would announce what action it might take “in due course” but said he hoped the company’s management would “come to its senses”. “The result of this ballot shows the resolve and determination of our members to get a fair share of the large profits that Aer Lingus are making,“, said Mr Tighe. He said pay at the airline had failed to keep pace with that at airlines like British Airways, Lufthansa and Virgin Atlantic in recent years.<br/>