London –
Aer Lingus pilots said they would resume talks with the Irish carrier after launching a strike on Wednesday, cancelling hundreds of flights and disrupting the travel plans of tens of thousands of people.
The pilots were subject to “work by the book” by refusing overtime, accepting changes to established rostering, and complying with management requests outside of working hours.
The Irish Airline Pilots' Association said it would resume talks with Aer Lingus on Thursday amid ongoing industrial action.
An eight-hour strike is planned for Saturday.
Ireland's national airline and its pilots have been locked in a bitter dispute over pay, with pilots seeking a 24% pay increase to keep up with inflation since their last increase in 2019. Aer Lingus has said it is prepared to offer a pay rise of more than 12.5% ​​if “productivity and flexibility” are discussed.
Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris said it was “absolutely vital” that a solution was found.
“What I'm asking the parties now is to move the negotiations forward, rather than subjecting the American people to a long period of anguish and confusion and then ultimately coming to a deal,” Harris said Tuesday. “This dispute, like any other dispute, will be resolved through compromise, negotiation, sitting around the table. That's what we need.”
