Dublin: Mediation efforts by the Labour Court to resolve the Aer Lingus pilots’ strike have broken down, leaving no immediate prospect for further discussions. The anticipated intervention, which the nation hoped would lead to a settlement, failed as both sides remained unwilling to compromise.
The breakdown in negotiations means that the holiday plans of thousands of families, as well as the business agendas of many individuals, along with the tourism and hospitality sectors, will be significantly disrupted. The pilots are set to begin their strike at midnight tonight, with an additional eight-hour strike planned for Saturday.
Failed Negotiations
The Labour Court conducted separate negotiations with Aer Lingus and FORSA/IALPA. Despite these efforts, the court concluded that the dispute was impossible to resolve at this time. Consequently, the Labour Court has stated that it cannot intervene further until July. Meanwhile, Aer Lingus management has indicated their willingness to continue negotiations through the Workplace Relations Commission.
An Aer Lingus spokesperson urged FORSA/IALPA to consider the detrimental impact of the strike on thousands of passengers, the company, and the national economy. Mark Tighe, leader of the Union of Pilots (IALPA), emphasised the need for an agreed resolution to end the strike.
Tighe noted that IALPA had sent a letter to Aer Lingus management on June 23, expressing readiness to negotiate a settlement. However, he accused the authorities of failing to respond to their overture, stating that there was no request from the court to halt the strike at any point.
Upcoming Cancellations
Aer Lingus has announced the cancellation of 50 additional flights on Monday and Tuesday. The airline has also assured passengers of legal compensation for the cancelled flights, with details available on the company’s website.
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