Ahead of the busy summer travel season, Aer Lingus Regional, exclusively operated by Emerald Airlines, has completed the launch of its full summer schedule from Belfast City Airport, but guess what , there is a concern , Pilots of Emerald airlines might bring the disruption to the schedule.
This is in response to an ongoing trade dispute., Pilots at Emerald Airlines, which operates on contract for Aer Lingus Regional, begin industrial action today starting with refusal to work overtime, days off and other out of hours duties.
IALPA members voted 82% in favour of the action, in a dispute over what they say is the airline’s "failure to engage with the association on forming a collective labour agreement for pilots employed at Emerald".
Today’s industrial action will begin with a rolling and “strict” work to rule, which includes not working off days, no overtime and not working other out of hour duties.
The pilots who served the notice of industrial action last week are members of the Irish Air Line Pilots’ Association (IALPA), which is a branch of the trade union Fórsa.
The IALPA said the dispute is caused by Emerald Airline’s “failure to engage with on forming a collective labour agreement for pilots employed at Emerald, despite continuing efforts by the union”.
"The union has advised Emerald Airlines that it reserves the right to escalate the industrial action and will provide it with the required notice of same should this occur," the spokesperson said.
IALPA officer Daniel Langan said the pilots were surprised at Emerald’s refusal to engage with the union.
“Other airlines that previously refused to engage with unions are now happy to negotiate with them to achieve the certainty and stability of a collective labour agreement," he said.
“Emerald’s position suggests it’s currently out of touch on how best to sustainably establish terms and conditions for its employees in a highly competitive labour market,” said Langan.
He added: “The employer’ refusal to engage is why this action is now necessary.”
Earlier on June 16 , in a joint statement, IALPA and Forsa say Members voted overwhelmingly in favour of industrial action, over 82%, in a dispute over the airline’s failure to engage with IALPA on forming a collective labour agreement for pilots employed at Emerald, despite continuing efforts by the union.
Headed by Conor McCarthy , Emerald Airlines is an Irish regional airline headquartered in Dublin. In August 2021, the airline became the operator of the Aer Lingus Regional franchise, before operations launched on 26 February 2022.
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