Aer Lingus Regional pilots vote to strike

Aer Lingus Regional pilots have voted to strike in a dispute over pay, conditions and union recognition. Members of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA) in Emerald Airlines have been voting over the past week on whether to take industrial action, including a strike, at the airline that flies the Aer Lingus Regional network. The organisation, affiliated to trade union Fórsa, confirmed on Thursday that 82% of those polled voted in favour of industrial action. IALPA has 52 members in Emerald from a total of 140 pilots. According to the union, 94% of them voted. The union is now likely to consider its next steps, said a spokesman. Industrial relations law obliges unions to give employers at least one week’s notice of strike. IALPA sought a meeting with management several weeks ago to discuss pay, conditions and collective bargaining at the airline. While the company responded, it did not agree to meet.<br/>