Negotiations between Aer Lingus and its pilots have resumed with the aim to prevent potential industrial action.
The pilots’ union, Ialpa, has been embroiled in a protracted pay dispute with the airline for several months.
Last week, Ialpa members overwhelmingly rejected a Labour Court recommendation of a 9.25 percent pay increase, far below the nearly 24 percent raise they sought.
The union stated in a memo that talks stalled when Aer Lingus insisted on productivity changes as a condition for any further pay increase discussions.
Ialpa said: “Aer Lingus expressed a wish to return to a third party mediator or the WRC, which was rejected by Ialpa in favor of direct negotiations.
“Ialpa views direct negotiations as the best way forward considering 20 months of process has concluded without agreement.”
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Ialpa is currently balloting its members on the possibility of industrial action, with results expected on Wednesday.
The airline criticized Ialpa’s demand for an “unsustainable level of increase in pilot pay [in excess of 20%] not supported by any increases in productivity or flexibility.”
The company said: “Aer Lingus offered to request the support of the Workplace Relations Commission to further explore solutions.
“This offer was rejected by Ialpa, and they ended the discussions.”
However, Aer Lingus requested a return to the negotiating table on Wednesday morning, to which Ialpa has agreed.
